Fatty acid may help combat multiple sclerosis

Press release:

The abnormal immune system response that causes multiple sclerosis (MS) by attacking and damaging the central nervous system can be triggered by the lack of a specific fatty acid in fat tissue, according to a new Yale study. The finding suggests that dietary change might help treat some people with the autoimmune disease.

The study was published Jan. 19 in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Fat tissue in patients diagnosed with MS lack normal levels of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid found at high levels in, for instance, cooking oils, meats (beef, chicken, and pork), cheese, nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, pasta, milk, olives, and avocados, according to the study.

This lack of oleic acids leads to a loss of the metabolic sensors that activate T cells, that mediate the immune system’s response to infectious disease, the Yale team found. Without the suppressing effects of these regulatory T cells, the immune system can attack healthy central nervous system cells and cause the vision loss, pain, lack of coordination and other debilitating symptoms of MS.

When researchers introduced oleic acids into the fatty tissue of MS patients in laboratory experiments, levels of regulatory T cells increased, they found.

“We’ve known for a while that both genetics and the environment play a role in the development of MS,” said senior author David Hafler, William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology and professor of immunobiology and chair of the Department of Neurology. “This paper suggests that one of environmental factors involved is diet.”

Hafler noted that obesity triggers unhealthy levels of inflammation and is a known risk factor for MS, an observation that led him to study the role of diet in MS.

He stressed, however, that more study is necessary to determine whether eating a diet high in oleic acid can help some MS patients.

###

Saige L. Pompura of the Yale School of Medicine is lead author of the study.

Advertisement:

Bestseller No. 1
Don't Judge What You Don't Understand Multiple Sclerosis Awa T-Shirt
  • Don't Judge What You Don't Understand Tee Is Perfect for Men Women Dad Mom Sped Teacher Kids Boys Girls Brothers Sisters Sons Daughters Suffer From Multiple Sclerosis. Wear This Tee on Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month 2021 to Advocate & Raise Awareness.
  • Matching to Show Empathy Love Acceptance & Support for Special Family Friends Who Are Affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Warrior, Multiple Sclerosis Supporter, Fighting with Multiple Sclerosis.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Bestseller No. 2
Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Beaber M.D., Brandon (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 346 Pages - 10/01/2019 (Publication Date) - MS Health (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3
Womens MS Warrior Messy Bun Leopard - Multiple Sclerosis Awareness T-Shirt
  • Wear It Proudly For Support Of Those With Multiple Sclerosis. Perfect Gift For Ms Awareness For Fighters, Warriors, Nurses, Medical Doctors. Orange Ribbon For Multiple Sclerosis Awareness. Wear Orange For Multiple Sclerosis
  • Support Every Person In Their Fight Against. MS Warrior Unbreakable Sclerosis Awareness. Multiple Sclerosis Awareness, MS Awareness Shirts Orange, Fight MS Awareness, MS Awareness Month, Multiple Sclerosis Apparel For Women, Orange Ribbon Awareness
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Bestseller No. 4
Multiple Sclerosis For Dummies
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Kalb, Rosalind (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 634 Pages - 04/04/2012 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 6
The Exquisite 2023 Multiple Sclerosis Diet Cookbook: Friendly Guide for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Quick Shopping & Easy Essential Diet Recipes
  • Brown, Anna (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 69 Pages - 08/14/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 7
The Multiple Sclerosis Diet Plan and Cookbook: 101 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Recipes
  • DeSantis MS RD CDN, Noelle (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 228 Pages - 12/17/2019 (Publication Date) - Rockridge Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 8
Multiple Sclerosis, Fifth Edition: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
  • Murray MD, T. Jock (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 09/28/2017 (Publication Date) - Demos Health (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 9
Dahn Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Similar Conditions
  • Dawn Quaresima (Actor)
  • Eunjin Lim and Jiin Kim (Director)
Bestseller No. 10
Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions You Have, The Answers You Need
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Kalb MD, Rosalind C. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 430 Pages - 11/11/2011 (Publication Date) - Demos Health (Publisher)

I get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.