title: Association of fish consumption and Ω 3 supplementation with quality of life, disability and disease activity in an international cohort of people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The role of fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation in multiple sclerosis (MS) is controversial, although there is some evidence to support a beneficial effect. We surveyed a large cohort of people with MS recruited via Web 2.0 platforms, requesting information on type of MS, relapse rates, disability, health-related quality of life, frequency of fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation, including type and dose, using validated tools where possible. We aimed to determine whether there was an association between fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation and quality of life, disability and disease activity for people with MS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken. Of 2469 respondents, 1493 (60.5%) had relapsing-remitting MS. Those consuming fish more frequently and those taking omega 3 supplements had significantly better quality of life, in all domains, and less disability. For fish consumption, there was a clear dose-response relationship for these associations. There were also trends towards lower relapse rates and reduced disease activity; flaxseed oil supplementation was associated with over 60% lower relapse rate over the previous 12 months. Further dietary studies and randomised controlled trials of omega 3 supplementation for people with MS are required, preferably using flaxseed oil.
authors.affiliation: 1Emergency Practice Innovation Centre, St Vincents Hospital , Fitzroy , Australia.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hadgkiss
authors.forename: Tracey J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Weiland
authors.forename: Naresh G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Claudia H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Marck
authors.forename: Dania M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: van der Meer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017747:Seafood
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3