Ketogenic diet reduces disability, improves quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis

A ketogenic diet consisting primarily of meat, fish, eggs, cream, butter, oil, and non-starchy vegetables such as pea pods, carrots, broccoli, and peppers may be safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)

"The ketogenic diet is high in fat, adequate in protein, and low in carbohydrates, allowing the body to use fat as its primary energy source, rather than sugar, thus mimicking a fasted state," said the study authors

The study enrolled 65 patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Study participants were on a ketogenic diet for six months

Participants completed tests and surveys before starting the diet and again at 3 and 6 months after the diet to measure levels of disability and quality of life

The researchers found that after six months, not only did the participants lose body fat, but fatigue and depression scores also dropped

In a survey on quality of life, participants were asked questions such as, "Have you had a lot of energy in recent weeks?" "Have you felt tired?" "Are you a happy person?" and "Are you Feeling down and blue?" The survey provides a score for physical and mental health on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better physical and mental health

Scores also improved on a common test of multiple sclerosis disease progression

The researchers also took blood samples and found improved levels of inflammatory markers in the participants' blood

"Our study provides evidence that the ketogenic diet may indeed be safe and beneficial, reducing some symptoms in people with MS when used for more than six months," Brenton said

One limitation of the study was the lack of a control group of MS patients on a regular non-ketogenic diet