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A scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) has received a new grant to investigate how dietary changes could help protect the vision of patients with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system
One of the first signs of MS is vision loss and pain in the optic nerve
“It’s a cruel, insidious disease,” said Dr. Scott Plafker
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Plafker’s research team at OMRF studies how diet can impact the vision of patients with multiple sclerosis
He said 70% of MS patients will, at some point, experience optic neuritis, an inflammation that damages the optic nerve
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“When that becomes inflamed, it’s extremely painful, and your vision is gone essentially instantly,” said Dr. Plafker. “If you can reduce that inflammation, you can bring back your vision.”
Treatment usually consists of high-dose steroids. However, it’s a bandage that doesn’t treat the cause
However, there’s hope
Plafker’s lab has already found that the ketogenic diet can reduce inflammation in mice induced with MS. It changes the bacteria in their gut, called the microbiome
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“We found that the bacteria is actually converting those into compounds called indoles and the indoles compounds have been found to have neuro-protected effects,” said Plafker
But the keto diet is very strict. It’s high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates
“This diet can be very challenging to stay on because it’s absolutely very, very low amounts of sugar and carbohydrates,” said Plafker
Now, the research team has received a $470,000, two-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to zero in on those special compounds
“So, instead of taking the diet, you just take the compounds that are being generated by the gut microbes,” said Plafker
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It’s important to note that if this turns out to be a solution, nothing will replace a healthy diet
“You don’t want to continue to eat bad food and figure, ‘I can just take a supplement, and it’s going to neutralize everything I’m doing,'” said Plafker
The research is still in the very early stages. Much more research will be needed before moving on to human patients with MS
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