For years, we’ve read about the benefits of eating fish because of its omega-3 fatty acids to a host of the alphabet vitamins (A, B, and D). It helps the body fight back against multiple diseases and disorders, from autoimmune threats to depression to heart disease. Now, new research offers up strong evidence that higher fish consumption can curb the risk of disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).
The research, which followed more than 2,700 MS patients for up to 15 years, suggests a diet loaded with lean and oily fish could work well as a critical component of a larger strategy of managing MS more effectively.
New Dietary Insights
We’ve been here before. Earlier cross-sectional research has pointed to a connection between higher fish consumption and lower MS severity. That being said, existing longitudinal data exploring the influence of fish consumption on disability progression has been hard to come by.
This latest research, leveraging data from the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation of MS (EIMS), offers the most compelling evidence so far that eating fish makes a difference in MS patients.
The team – made up of Swedish and Chinese researchers – examined the dietary habits and health outcomes of MS patients, tracking their progression using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The group focused on crucial markers of MS progression:
- 24-week confirmed disability worsening (CDW).
- Progression to EDSS 3 (moderate disability).
- And progression to EDSS 4 (significant walking impairment).
Fish Consumption and MS Outcomes
The study discovered a notable link between higher fish consumption at diagnosis and a much lower risk of disability progression. The numbers are staggering. Patients who eat fish regularly had a:
- 34 percent less risk of CDW.
- 45 percent reduced risk of reaching EDSS 3.
- 43 percent lower risk of advancing to EDSS 4.
What’s more, these connections persisted even after adjusting for lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI). Patients who’d incorporated fish into their diet consistently over the years boasted the most profound benefits.
But Why Fish?
We already know that fish comes loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, touted for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. These nutrients might help curb the chronic inflammation tied to MS, while promoting nerve cell health.
Additionally, taurine, an amino acid also found in fish, has shown neuroprotective effects and could further help with slowing down the progression of disability.
“Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the brain and, although there are endogenous mechanisms for its production, an exogenous supply is necessary to meet physiological needs,” the authors wrote. “Taurine has diverse cellular functions, including cytoprotective actions through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential therapeutic agent for neurological disorders.”
Another potential factor could be the gut microbiota, which we’ve heard so much about lately. Diet obviously plays a huge part in influencing the gut bacteria, which also regulates immune function. Fish consumption might promote a healthier gut microbiome, leading to better immune regulation and lower MS-related inflammation.
Implications for MS Management
While disease-modifying therapies remain essential to MS treatment, these research results underscore the argument that diet operates as an additional, non-pharmacological approach to managing the disease. Working fish into a balanced diet could help patients see better long-term outcomes while supplementing therapeutic strategies.
Despite these results, the authors stress the need for more research to confirm what they found. They also advise investigating the underlying biological mechanisms at play. That research, they argue, should explore whether specific types of fish – or even preparation methods – yield different effects. They also suggest a deeper dive into the long-term benefits of dietary interventions in MS care.
This paper offers up some pretty compelling evidence that a diet loaded with fish could help slow down disability progression in MS patients. As researchers continue to explore the connection between nutrition and MS, dietary modifications could play a bigger part as a practical, accessible tool for patients looking to manage their condition more effectively.
At least for now, the moral of the story couldn’t be more obvious. Adding fish in one’s diet could be one of the easiest – yet powerful – ways for MS patients to stave off disability.
Further Reading
Study Illuminates Impact of Menopause on MS Progression
Comorbidity Compounds Disease Activity in MS Patients
The Role of Theta Burst Stimulation in Multiple Sclerosis Management
