If you’ve never heard of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) then you have come to the right place. For this week’s blog, I will be discussing the relationship between the microbiota that inhabit our guts and Multiple Sclerosis, and how the food we put in our body can affect the progression of the disease.
First, MS is characterized by the deterioration of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves of the brain and spinal cord in the central nervous system. Myelin sheath allows for quick and efficient transmission of electrical impulses along the axon. With damage in myelin sheath, the communication between the body and brain is harder since the conduction of electrical impulses along the neurons are slower. This is why the symptoms for MS are usually fatigue and weakness, blurry vision, tremor and in some cases, paralysis.
There’s approximately 39 trillion microbial cells in our body right now! As crazy as it sounds- you do not have anything to worry about. These microbes are crucial for our survival and as long as they are not disrupted- we are okay! These microbes are known as normal microbiota (flora). They protect us by producing toxic compounds that make it difficult for pathogens to grow, use up binding sites that these pathogens may use to attach, and exhaust the nutrients and space from the pathogens so they cannot grow freely!
As I mentioned earlier, these microorganisms are harmless unless they are disrupted (via the use of antibiotics, infection or unbalanced diet). When the normal microbiota of the body is disturbed, the body is vulnerable for diseases, like Multiple Sclerosis. Although the actual cause of MS is unknown, we know that environmental and genetic factors play a role, like with most diseases. These environmental factors include exposure to infectious agents prior to a diagnosis of the disease. Studies suggest that MS is influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota. Tolerance mechanism is the physiological functions in your body so that T cells don’t attack your own body’s cells. Gut microbiota has been shown to regulate our body’s tolerance mechanisms. Having dysbiosis (disruption of normal microbiota) in your gut can be a major factor for an individual contracting MS. On the more positive note, science suspect that changing gut microbiota can help treat MS!
The Western Diet of America
If you are reading this blog, there’s a 99.99% chance that you consume food that is in line with the Western Diet. The diet consist of high amount of processed foods like sausage rolls, bacon, bread, microwave-ready meals, and more. The diet also includes high-fat dairy products like butter, whole milk and cheese and high (refined) sugar foods like sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream and donuts. Many of the most popular fast-food chains in America greatly exemplify the Western Diet. And if you are anything like me, then you have a general idea that these foods are not good for you. Before I did my research on the Western Diet, I did not realize how much I didn’t know about what I was putting in my body. For example, I did not know that eating high amount of processed food can impair the region of the brain associated to self-control, a slippery slope that can lead to overeating.
The consumption of the unhealthy foods found in Western Diet is placing our body in a vulnerable state, especially when we are infected by a pathogen. Going back to the importance of our microbiome, a healthy diet is crucial in maintaining our microbiome so that our body and immune system is always ready to fight against any pathogen. When we eat fatty foods like junk food and fast food, our immune system is heavily weakened by it since they are not getting the correct amount of nutrients and fat they need to do their job- protect us.
The Importance of a Healthy Diet and MS
There is no “Best Multiple Sclerosis Diet”, but as I’ve discussed the relation between gut microbiota and MS, a healthy and balanced diet is necessary for maintaining the symptoms of MS. According to Mayo Clinic, individuals with MS needs a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber. They also suggest that those with MS get enough vitamins and minerals, which means eating lots of leafy vegetables and unprocessed foods.
Probiotic use is also a good way to control the symptoms of MS. Preclinical studies have suggested that the use of probiotics “reduces the incidence and severity of MS… and improves motor impairment… and intestinal microbiome composition.” The clinical studies showed that the use of probiotics had a positive effect on the inflammatory response of MS patients through the regulation of gut microbial composition.
Where To Go From Here
If you are reading this, you may or may not have MS. Regardless, I hope this blog helped you realize the importance of our microbiome, specially our gut microbiome, in fighting infections and pathogens. The stability of our gut microbiome is directly linked to the types of food we consume, so the next time you are in line of a fast food, I hope you keep those microorganisms in mind.
Thanks for reading!
Lyn 4 Science 