Higher Dietary Acid Load Might Be a Potent Derivative Factor for Multiple Sclerosis: The Results from a Case-Control Study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and multiple sclerosis (MS), through the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores. In a hospital-based case-control study of 109 patients with MS and 130 healthy individuals, a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and a logistic regression model were used to evaluate the association between the DAL and MS. After adjusting for age (years), gender (male/female), body mass index (Kg/m2), and total calories (Kcal), the MS odds were 92% lower for those in the highest tertile of total plant-based protein (OR: 0.08, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.23; p-value < 0.001) and about four times higher for those in the highest tertile of the PRAL (OR: 4.16, 95%CI: 1.94, 8.91; p-value < 0.001) and NEAP scores (OR: 3.57, 95%CI: 1.69, 7.53; p-value < 0.001), compared to those in the lowest tertile. After further adjusting for sodium, saturated fatty acid, and fiber intake, the results remained significant for total plant-based protein intake (OR: 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.38; p-value = 0.002). In conclusion, a higher NEAP or PRAL score may be associated with increased odds of MS, while a higher intake of plant-based protein instead of animal-based protein may be protective.

MIND Diet Adherence Might be Associated with a Reduced Odds of Multiple Sclerosis: Results from a Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: The Mediterranean Dietary Approaches to the Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been shown to have beneficial neuroprotective effects. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the link between the MIND diet adherence and multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative neurological illness. METHODS: In a hospital-based case-control setting, 77 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 148 healthy individuals were recruited. A validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' dietary intakes and the MIND diet score. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between MIND diet adherence and MS. RESULTS: There was significant difference between RRMS and control groups in the median (Q1-Q3) of age (years, P value < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2, P value < 0.001), and total intake of calories (kcal, P value = 0.032), carbohydrates (g, P value = 0.003), animal-based protein (g, P value = 0.009), and fiber (g, P value = 0.001). Adherence to the MIND diet was associated with a reduced odds of MS [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.10, 95 percent confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.01-0.88, P for trend = 0.001]. MS odds was significantly lower in the last tertile of green leafy vegetables (aOR = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.00-0.21, P value < 0.001), other vegetables (aOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04-0.73, P value = 0.001), butter and stick margarine (aOR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.06-0.65, P value = 0.008), and beans (aOR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01-0.28, P value < 0.001) consumption. While it was significantly higher in the last tertile of cheese (aOR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.70-11.6, P value = 0.003), poultry (aOR = 3.95, 95% CI = 1.01-15.5, P value = 0.039), pastries and sweets (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI = 3.04-64.18, P value < 0.001), and fried/fast foods (aOR = 32.8, 95% CI = 5.39-199.3, P value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The MIND diet and its components, including green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, and beans, seem to decrease the odds of MS; besides butter and stick margarine, the MIND diet's unhealthy components seem to have the same protective effects, while pastries and sweets, cheese, poultry, and fried/fast foods have an inverse effect.