Diet and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence With UK Biobank Nested Case-Control Study and Mendelian...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Epidemiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• Diet is a key modifiable environmental factor of interest for MS.
• Understanding dietary impacts is crucial for MS prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between dietary habits and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To explore the genetic links between food consumption and MS risk.
• To identify potential mediating factors, such as serum measurements, in the diet-MS relationship.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study design utilizing UK Biobank data.
• Inclusion of 303 MS cases and 1212 matched controls.
• Application of conditional logistic regression, Mendelian randomization, and mediation analyses (Karlson-Holm-Breen method).

Main Results:

• Regular consumption of oily fish and increased bread intake were associated with a decreased risk of MS.
• Genetic analysis confirmed that higher intake of oily fish and cereal was linked to lower MS risk.
• Vitamin D levels and neutrophil count were identified as independent mediators of the protective effect of oily fish consumption.

Conclusions:

• Increasing intake of oily fish and wholemeal/wholegrain bread may lower the risk of MS onset.
• Vitamin D and neutrophil count play a partial mediating role in the protective association between diet and MS.
• Dietary modifications, particularly involving oily fish and specific bread types, represent a potential avenue for MS risk reduction.