A ketogenic diet offers some significant benefits for many people with neurological problems, even though it is most associated with weight loss.

Here, we’ll talk about using the ketogenic diet to improve function in a person suffering with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Of course, there are many things to consider for each individual when it comes to diet.

MS patients put on a 4 month Mediterranean isocaloric, ketogenic diet increase lean mass while reducing inflammation & oxidation.

Autoimmune patients suffer endlessly and often to an unnecessary extent because they’re never told about how diet & lifestyle factors impact the disease. This study shows that diet can improve muscle mass (a very important metric) and reduce inflammation in MS patients.

From the study:

Researchers put 27 MS patients put on a Mediterranean isocaloric and (mildly) ketogenic diet* for 4 months. They found that the diet “increases lean mass and decreases inflammation and oxidation possibly as a consequence of an increase in satiety and decrease in hunger.”

*Calling it a “ketogenic” diet here is a little bit of a stretch (Beta Hydroxy Butyrate, a ketogenic indicator only reached low levels of 0.1). This diet would more accurately be called a whole food, moderately carbohydrate restricted, MCT supplemented diet.

“Satiating Effect of a Ketogenic Diet and Its Impact on Muscle Improvement and Oxidation State in Multiple Sclerosis Patients” Nutrients 2019, 11(5), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051156

Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in relapsing-remitting MS

Ketogenic diet improves fatigue, depression, inflammation, and weight loss in MS patients.*

Study Conclusions: A ketogenic diet is safe, feasible to study, and well tolerated in subjects with relapsing MS. The ketogenic diet improves fatigue and depression while also promoting weight loss and reducing serologic proinflammatory adipokines.

*The ketogenic diet improves mental health, fatigue, inflammation, and weight loss in the majority of people if it’s done properly.

Reference:
Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in relapsing-remitting MS. J. Nicholas Brenton, et al; Journal Of Neuroinflammation and Neuroinflammation. July 2019; 6 (4).

https://nn.neurology.org/content/6/4/e565

Reduced Mass and Diversity of the Colonic Microbiome in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Improvement with Ketogenic Diet

Previous studies have found altered bacterial species in MS patient’s gut microbiome. These changes effect the disease and the function of the MS patient. 6 months on a ketogenic diet was shown to restore a more normal microbiome in MS patients.

Study Conclusions: Colonic biofermentative function is markedly impaired in MS patients (due to altered gut microbiome). The ketogenic diet normalized concentrations of the colonic microbiome after 6 months.

Reference:
Reduced Mass and Diversity of the Colonic Microbiome in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Improvement with Ketogenic Diet. Alexander Swidsinski, et al. Frontiers In Microbiology.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5488402/