Nutrient Composition Comparison between a Modified Paleolithic Diet for Multiple Sclerosis and the Recommended...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Neurology
• Dietary Interventions

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) lacks evidence-based dietary guidelines, often defaulting to general recommendations.
• The modified Paleolithic Wahls Elimination (WahlsElim) diet is promoted for MS, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and specific fat sources while excluding grains and dairy.
• Current dietary advice for MS does not adequately address specific nutritional needs or the impact of specialized diets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the nutritional adequacy of Wahls Elimination diet menus for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• To compare the WahlsElim diet's nutritional profile against the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Healthy US-Style Eating Pattern (HEP).
• To identify potential nutrient shortfalls and requirements for optimizing the WahlsElim diet in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of seven-day WahlsElim diet menus for nutritional content.
• Modeling the WahlsElim diet with varied fruit and vegetable intake for comparison with the DGA HEP (ages 31-50).
• Assessment of 17 key vitamins and minerals, focusing on nutrient adequacy ratios and specific shortfall nutrients.

Main Results:

• WahlsElim menus demonstrated low added sugar and glycemic index.
• Nutritional adequacy (mean adequacy ratio ≥92%) for 17 vitamins and minerals was comparable between WahlsElim and HEP.
• Nutrient shortfalls in the modeled 60% fruit/vegetable WahlsElim diet mirrored HEP (Vitamin D, iron, magnesium, choline, potassium), with additional concerns for fiber and calcium, though Vitamin E was adequate.

Conclusions:

• The WahlsElim diet, with appropriate food selection and supplementation, can achieve nutritional adequacy comparable to standard guidelines for MS patients.
• Specific nutrients like Vitamin D and magnesium require supplementation, while careful food choices are necessary to address fiber, calcium, and other shortfalls.
• Medical professionals must monitor the nutritional status, supplement use, and potential high vitamin K intake contraindications for individuals on the WahlsElim diet.