Modified Mediterranean diet vs. Traditional Iranian diet: Efficacy of dietary interventions on dietary inflammatory index score, fatigue severity and disability in multiple sclerosis patients

Jalal Bohlouli, Iman Namjoo, Mohammad Borzoo-Isfahani, Fariborz Poorbaferani, Amir Reza Moravejolahkami, Cain C.T. Clark, Mohammad Ali Hojjati Kermani

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    18 Citations (Scopus)
    264 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Background: Current evidence suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeD) can reduce inflammation in chronic diseases; however, studies pertaining to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the modi ed MeD (mMeD) in improving Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores, disability and fatigue severity, compared with traditional Iranian diet (TID), in RRMS patients. Results: Of the 180 patients enrolled, 147 participants were included in the i nal analysis (n of mMeD = 68; n of TID = 79). Self-reported adherence was good (81 %). Dietary intakes of forty-five food parameters were assessed through the FFQ. The mMeD significantly reduced DII scores after 6 months (238 ± 021 to -187 ± 086, P < 0001), but TID did not elicit any changes (221 ± 044 to 214 ± 101, P = 0771). Additionally, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) total score decreased significantly (724 ± 172 to 639 ± 142, P < 0001), whereas there was no considerable improvement for Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in the mMeD group. Methods: After initial screening (n 261), 180 RRMS patients were randomised to receive mMeD or TID (as control) for 6 months. DII score, EDSS and twenty-one-item MFIS were evaluated at baseline and trial cessation. Multivariate ANCOVA was conducted and adjusted for age, gender, body weight, BMI, education level, supplement use, family history and duration of MS. Conclusion: Adherence to mMeD, for 6 months, improved dietary inflammatory status and fatigue severity in RRMS patients; however, the TID did not positively impact dietary inflammation and MFIS score.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1274-1284
    Number of pages11
    JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
    Volume128
    Issue number7
    Early online date16 Aug 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14 Oct 2022

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2021 Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.

    Funder

    The authors thank all the participants of the study for their enthusiastic of involvement and to the personnel of the clinic. This research was supported by Student Research Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (Grant NO. 197140).

    Keywords

    • Dietary inflammatory index
    • Fatigue
    • Mediterranean diet
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Randomized controlled trial

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine (miscellaneous)
    • Nutrition and Dietetics

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