Cognitive improvements in MS dietsAssociation Between Improved Serum Fatty Acid Profiles and Cognitive Function During a Dietary Intervention Trial in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
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We explored the impact of diet, particularly the intake of essential fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on cognitive function in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). A well-structured trial involving 77 participants put two diets to the test: a modified paleolithic diet and a low saturated fat diet. Through assessments at multiple time points, we aimed to understand how these dietary changes affect both serum fatty acid profiles and cognitive abilities.
Our findings revealed that both diets led to significant improvements in cognitive function as measured by tasks such as the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Notably, we observed that changes in the omega-3 index, which includes DHA, correlated with enhancements in cognitive performance.
It's important to highlight, however, that while these diets seemed effective at boosting overall cognitive function and altering serum fatty acid profiles, we did not establish that the changes in these fatty acids were responsible for improvements in cognitive measures. In essence, DHA's role, when isolated from other dietary components, requires further investigation to clarify its specific effects on cognitive health in MS.