Diet affects progression of autoimmune diseases

[MSUK]

Dietary fatty acids affect the development and progression of autoimmune chronic-inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, a new report claims... Read more - http://www.ms-uk.org/MSnews

[lyndacarol]

In this article, "Diet affects progression of autoimmune diseases," it is stated in paragraph #4:

In the current study, researchers demonstrated in both the cell culture dish and in an experimental model, that long-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, promote the development and propagation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall.

But lauric acid is found in the widely-touted-as-beneficial coconut oil and is a major element in breast milk.

The second sentence in the paragraph states:

On the contrary, short-chain fatty acids, first and foremost propionic acid (or its salt propionate), lead to the development and propagation of regulatory cells of the immune system in the intestinal wall. These cells have the capacity to regulate excessive inflammatory responses and autoreactive immune cells.

B12 and Folate metabolism produced by Firecracker5 (5-min. video):

The primary focus is on B12 metabolism with an initial quick review of folate.

(@2:30) the explanation for demyelination and neurological symptoms due to B12 deficiency as proprionyl


I have difficulty reconciling these various pieces of information.

[NHE]

In this article, "Diet affects progression of autoimmune diseases," it is stated in paragraph #4:

In the current study, researchers demonstrated in both the cell culture dish and in an experimental model, that long-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, promote the development and propagation of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall.

But lauric acid is found in the widely-touted-as-beneficial coconut oil and is a major element in breast milk.

In addition, lauric acid is not a long chain fatty acid. At 12 carbons long, it's a medium chain fatty acid.

[Jimpsull]

I've never agreed with those who tout coconut oil as acceptable (or beneficial) for those with MS. Roy Swank demonstrated that saturated fats lead to MS progression. He published dozens of articles on this topic during 50 years of research.

Most of the fad MS diets have lots of nice theories with little or no evidence behind them. Most Swank patients who kept saturated fat intake under 15 grams per day remained ambulatory during a 34 year study. Those who didn't stay on the diet ended up bedridden or dead.

I have added Wahls 9 cups per day of veggies because her theories are sound. My restriction list comes from Swank because his evidence is compelling.

[ElliotB]

"Swank.....his evidence is compelling"

Well, actually it is not. He did not conduct controlled clinical trials. And his results are really not all that much better than the 'typical' results, about 70% of those with MS do well regardless of their intervention(s) or not.

"Most Swank patients who kept saturated fat intake under 15 grams per day remained ambulatory during a 34 year study. "


The majority of those with MS regardless of any intervention(s) are ambulatory for extended periods of time according to this site (and I have read similar information elsewhere):

https://www.caring.com/articles/multipl ... osis-facts

"About one-half to two-thirds of people diagnosed with MS are not severely affected by the disease. Seven out of 10 remain ambulatory and do not need a wheelchair.> Twenty years after diagnosis, an estimated one-third of people who receive no treatment will need a wheelchair."



And to date, nobody has been able to validate his results. In fact, multiple sources have invalidated his results.

My opinion, if his or any diet really worked, it would work for everyone every time. The bottom line is when it comes to diet, nobody knows for sure if ANY diet really works.