Why is there so little research into diet and MS?

Effective studies into diet can be more difficult to design and control than laboratory trials into drug treatments. To be confident in a trial, researchers have to account for anything that may affect the results. For example, if a new drug is given to a group of people on a trial, researchers need to know if any of them are already taking other drug treatments. If they are, this could explain unusual results. However, because diet is part of people’s everyday lives, and people eat many different types of food, it is almost impossible to ensure everyone involved in the trial eats exactly the same things over a long period of time. This makes it very difficult to closely monitor particular foods and draw definite conclusions from the research. 

What research is there into diet and MS?

Research does not show that someone's diet causes MS. Neither have any special diets been proven to prevent MS or affect the way it may develop. Research has not found high-doses of any vitamins or minerals to be of benefit either. Some experts feel that although the evidence is not conclusive, diets low in saturated fats and high in polyunsaturated fats may have therapeutic effects on MS.

More research is needed to see if polyunsaturated fats can have any definite effect. For more information, see the section on Essential fatty acids.

It is important to note that a healthy, balanced diet will usually provide you with appropriate levels of nutrients. High doses of certain vitamins and minerals should be avoided as they may do more harm than good.
 

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