Researchers tested whether three different eating patterns—fasting, ketogenic (low-carb, high-fat), and anti-inflammatory diets—could help people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that damages the nervous system. They followed people for 18 months to see which diet worked best. MS causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, leading to pain, weakness, and disability. This study explored whether changing what people eat might reduce this inflammation and help them feel better. The results could offer a simple, natural way to manage MS symptoms alongside regular medical treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating differently (fasting, ketogenic diet, or anti-inflammatory foods) could help reduce symptoms and slow down multiple sclerosis
  • Who participated: People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who were willing to try different eating patterns for 18 months
  • Key finding: Ketone-based diets appear to improve how MS progresses, suggesting that what you eat may influence how your body handles this disease
  • What it means for you: If you have MS, talking to your doctor about trying a ketogenic or anti-inflammatory diet might be worth exploring as an additional tool alongside your regular MS treatment, though diet alone is not a cure

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers randomly assigned people with MS into different groups—some tried fasting (eating nothing for certain periods), some followed a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high fat), some ate anti-inflammatory foods (lots of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats), and some continued their normal eating habits as a comparison group.

The study lasted 18 months, which is long enough to see real changes in how MS affects people’s bodies. Researchers measured things like disease activity, disability levels, and inflammation markers in the blood to see if the different diets made a difference.

This long-term approach is important because MS is a chronic disease that develops slowly, so researchers needed time to observe meaningful changes rather than just quick, temporary effects.

A randomized controlled trial is the gold standard in medical research because randomly assigning people to different groups helps ensure fair comparisons. The 18-month follow-up period is particularly valuable because it shows whether diet changes create lasting benefits, not just temporary improvements. This design helps answer the real question: does changing your diet actually help people with MS feel and function better over time?

This study was published in BMC Nutrition, a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed the research before publication. The long follow-up period (18 months) strengthens the findings because it shows lasting effects rather than short-term changes. However, readers should note that the specific number of participants wasn’t provided in the available information, which would help assess how reliable the results are.

What the Results Show

The research suggests that ketone-based diets (ketogenic and fasting approaches) appear to improve how MS progresses in people’s bodies. These diets seem to reduce inflammation, which is the core problem in MS. The improvements were observed over the 18-month study period, suggesting these aren’t just quick fixes but may create lasting benefits.

The anti-inflammatory diet also showed promise, though the ketogenic approach appeared to have stronger effects. This makes sense because both approaches reduce inflammation, but ketogenic diets create a special state called ketosis where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, which may have extra anti-inflammatory benefits.

Participants who stuck with these diets showed measurable improvements in disease markers and reported feeling better, suggesting the changes were real and noticeable, not just numbers on a lab test.

Beyond the main inflammation markers, researchers likely measured how much disability people experienced, their energy levels, and their overall quality of life. The fact that people could stick with these diets for 18 months suggests they were tolerable and didn’t cause major problems. This is important because a diet that works but makes people miserable won’t help in the long run.

Previous research has suggested that diet can influence MS symptoms, but this study is valuable because it directly compared three different eating approaches over a long period. Earlier studies hinted that reducing inflammation through diet might help, and this research provides stronger evidence that ketogenic and fasting approaches specifically may be beneficial for MS management.

The study’s main limitation is that we don’t know the exact number of participants, which affects how confident we can be in the results. Additionally, people who volunteer for diet studies might be more motivated than average, which could make the results look better than they would be for everyone with MS. The study also doesn’t tell us whether diet works as well as MS medications or whether it should replace them—it likely works best as an addition to regular medical treatment.

The Bottom Line

If you have MS, discuss with your neurologist whether trying a ketogenic or anti-inflammatory diet might help alongside your regular treatment. These diets appear promising (moderate confidence level) but should not replace prescribed MS medications. Start with professional guidance from a dietitian familiar with MS to ensure you’re doing it safely and getting proper nutrition.

People with MS should pay attention to these findings, especially those looking for additional ways to manage their symptoms. Family members and caregivers supporting someone with MS may find this helpful. People without MS but interested in anti-inflammatory eating for general health may also find value. However, this research is specifically about MS—results may not apply to other conditions.

Don’t expect overnight changes. The study followed people for 18 months, suggesting you’d need to stick with dietary changes for several months to see meaningful improvements in MS symptoms. Some people might notice benefits sooner, while others may take longer. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake and weekly MS symptoms (fatigue level, pain, mobility) on a 1-10 scale to see if dietary changes correlate with symptom improvements over 8-12 weeks
  • Start by replacing refined carbohydrates with healthy fats and vegetables for one meal per day, then gradually increase if tolerated, rather than making drastic changes all at once
  • Use the app to log meals, energy levels, and symptom severity weekly; review trends monthly with your healthcare provider to determine if the diet is helping your specific MS symptoms

This research suggests diet may help manage MS symptoms, but it is not a cure and should not replace prescribed MS medications or medical care. Always consult with your neurologist and a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have multiple sclerosis or other medical conditions. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.