Impact of Diet Quality and Calorie Restriction on Physical Function and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract
Reasons for the Study: Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are overweight or obese. Obesity can make MS symptoms worse, make it harder to do daily tasks, and raise risks for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Obesity may also add to the problems with thinking that MS can cause. Earlier research shows that both a heathier diet and weight loss can improve MS symptoms and lower risks for other conditions. There have not been many studies of diet in people with MS, however, and doctors need more evidence before they can recommend specific diets to improve MS symptoms. This study will help doctors and people with MS learn more about how they can use diet changes to improve MS symptoms and quality of life. How the Study will Work: Researchers will test two diet changes in 100 adults with MS to see if they help with symptoms such as pain, fatigue, mood, and anxiety, and make it easier to do daily tasks. The researchers will provide all the food needed for the diets and use a grocery delivery service app to bring groceries to the homes of people taking part in the study. The study has two parts, and each will last 16 weeks. During the first 16 weeks, researchers will randomly select 50 people to follow a low-glycemic diet. This kind of diet can help keep blood sugar from rising too quickly and can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The other 50 people will follow a typical American diet, which is high in processed, sugary foods that can cause blood sugar to spike and raise risks for diabetes and other conditions. During the study s first 16 weeks, a dietician will design meal plans for both groups that will keep them from losing or gaining weight. During the second 16 weeks, everyone in the study will continue to follow the diet they started with, but both groups will cut 500 calories a day from their meal plans. This should lead to a 5% to 10% loss of their starting body weight. The researchers have designed the study meals to be easy for people with MS to prepare. The recipes have few ingredients, use pre-cut fruits and vegetables, and can be made quickly. The meal plans do not require major changes to diet or cut out entire food groups. These easy-to-prepare, flexible meal plans may make it easier for people with MS to stay on the diet long term, which could lead to lasting improvements in MS symptoms and overall health. The study researchers will do tests after the first 16 weeks and again at the end of the study to see if and how much the low-glycemic diet and weight loss improved MS symptoms and the ability to do daily tasks. The study s two-part design will allow the researchers to see how well a low-glycemic diet works on its own to improve MS symptoms and if adding weight loss to this type of diet produces additional benefits. Key Points: This study will help doctors and people with MS understand whether a low-glycemic diet improves MS symptoms and leads to weight loss. If these changes are beneficial, doctors will be able to recommend a specific, evidence-based diet to their patients with MS that can help them better manage their disease and reduce their risks for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The diet uses flexible meal plans with easy-to-prepare recipes. This may make it easier for people with MS to make long-term changes to their diet that continue to improve their symptoms and help them maintain weight loss. Information from this study has potential to offer people with MS a safe, drug-free option they can use to help reduce MS symptoms, lose weight, and improve their overall health and quality of life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210924
Entities
People
- Brooks C Wingo
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Alabama at Birmingham