Low Fat Diet and Multiple Sclerosis

A Randomized, Controlled Study of Diet and Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if following a specific low fat diet will improve the brain damage as seen by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and to decrease the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) as evidenced by clinical evaluation and symptoms.

This research project has significance for its potential to develop a new therapeutic approach to MS. Current treatments in MS include disease modifying therapies such as human recombinant interferon beta, glatiramer acetate and natalizumab. However, these are only partially effective, cannot be taken orally, have side-effects and are very expensive. Developing treatment that can be combined with current disease modifying agent remains an important goal for improving the care of people with MS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of the relapsing-remitting form of MS
• Age 18-70, inclusive
• MS duration of less than 15 years
• May or may not be on disease-modifying therapies for MS, but if on, must be on for more than 6 months of continuous therapy
• Should not have diabetes
• Able and willing to follow exercise instructions
• Able and willing to travel to California for 10-day training program (cost covered by study)
• Able and willing to travel to Portland, OR for 6 study visits over the 12 month study period (cost covered by study)

Exclusion Criteria:

• No clinically significant MS exacerbation within 30 days of screening visit
• No systemically administered corticosteroids within 30 days of study entry
• Patient not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Not taking fish oil/flax seed for at least 2 months prior to first visit
• No other significant health programs (e.g. active coronary heart disease, liver disease, pulmonary disease) that might increase risk of patient experiencing adverse events