Low fat dietary intervention with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in multiple sclerosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a low fat diet supplemented with omega-3 positively affects quality of life (QOL) in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. In this 1-year long double-blind, randomized trial, patients were randomized to two dietary interventions: the "Fish Oil" (FO) group received a low fat diet (15% fat) with omega-3 FOs and the "Olive Oil" (OO) group received the AHA Step I diet (fat 30%) with OO supplements. The primary outcome measure was the Physical Components Summary Scale (PCS) of the Short Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36). Additional measures using MS specific QOL questionnaires, neurological status and relapse rate were obtained.


RESULTS
31 RRMS patients were enrolled, with mean follow up over 11 +/- SD 2.9 months. Clinical benefits favoring the FO group were observed on PCS/SF-36 (P = 0.050) and MHI (P = 0.050) at 6 months. Reduced fatigue was seen on the OO diet at 6 months (P = 0.035). The relapse rate decreased in both groups relative to the rates during the 1 year preceding the study: mean change in relapse rate in the FO group: -0.79 +/- SD 1.12 relapses/year (P = 0.021) vs. -0.69 +/- SD 1.11 (P = 0.044) in the OO group. This study suggests that a low fat diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFA can have moderate benefits in RRMS patients on concurrent disease modifying therapies.
Weinstock-Guttman
Bianca
B
Baird Multiple Sclerosis Center for MS Treatment and Research, Jacobs Neurological Institute, State University of New York, Buffalo General Hospital-E2, 14203, USA. bweinstock-guttman@kaleidahealth.org
Baier
Monika
M
Park
Youngmin
Y
Feichter
Joan
J
Lee-Kwen
Peterkin
P
Gallagher
Eileen
E
Venkatraman
Jaya
J
Meksawan
Kulwara
K
Deinehert
Suzanne
S
Pendergast
David
D
Awad
Atif B
AB
Ramanathan
Murali
M
Munschauer
Frederick
F
Rudick
Richard
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils