Nutrients. 2019;11(2)
Plain language summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated condition of the nervous system. The causes are unknown but are believed to be a complex interaction between genetics and environmental exposures, including diet. Although a number of dietary regimes have been advocated for people with MS, there is insufficient evidence to support any particular diet at present. A randomised clinical trial is currently being conducted to compare the effect of two diets, the low saturated fat Swank and the modified Paleolithic Wahls Elimination Diet (WahlsElim), on MS-related fatigue. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the published research on the use of the Swank and Wahls™ diets. Both diets and their rationales are also described in detail. Evidence in favour of the Swank diet, which was developed in 1948 by Dr Swank, comes from a long-term cohort study which showed that MS exacerbations were less frequent and less severe in those who followed the low saturated fat diet strictly, although patients with more advanced disability and in the progressive phase of the illness continued to decline even when they were following the Swank diet. The WahlsElim diet was originally developed in 2008 by Dr. Terry Wahls. Two small intervention studies found benefits of this protocol in terms of decreased fatigue and disability. All three studies mentioned above had a number of limitations, including lack of control group. The authors conclude that more research into dietary approaches to MS is needed.