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Eating Pattern and Nutritional Risks among People with Multiple Sclerosis Following a Modified Paleolithic Diet.

Nutrients
June 20, 2020
Tyler J Titcomb et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the nutritional safety of a modified Paleolithic diet in individuals with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), focusing on micronutrient intake and potential deficiencies.

Results Summary

The modified Paleolithic diet was associated with minimal nutritional risks, though some micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, choline, calcium) were noted. Excessive intake from supplements raised concerns for exceeding tolerable upper limits of certain nutrients.

Population

Progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) participants (n = 19).

Effective Dosage

Not specified (dietary intake assessed via 24-h recalls).

Duration

Final months of a diet intervention study (exact duration not specified).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (30)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
symptoms of fatigue
people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS)
-
may benefit
#1
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
eggs, dairy, and gluten-containing grains
-
-
restricts the consumption of
#2
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
micronutrient deficiencies
-
-
may increase the risk of
#3
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
intake of fruits and vegetables
progressive MS participants
nine servings/day
exceeded
#4
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
intake of all micronutrients from food
progressive MS participants
100% NAR
were above
#5
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
intake of vitamin D from food
progressive MS participants
29.6 ± 34.6% NAR
were
#6
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
intake of choline from food
progressive MS participants
73.2 ± 27.2% NAR
were
#7
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
intake of calcium from food
progressive MS participants
60.3 ± 22.8% NAR
were
#8
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for zinc
one participant (1/19)
-
exceeded
#9
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for vitamin A
one participant (1/19)
-
exceeded
#10
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
chronic disease risk reduction (CDRR) for sodium
37% (7/19)
-
exceeded
#11
supplements
increase
ULs for magnesium
5/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#12
supplements
increase
ULs for zinc
2/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#13
supplements
increase
ULs for sodium
7/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#14
supplements
increase
ULs for vitamin A
2/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#15
supplements
increase
ULs for vitamin D
9/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#16
supplements
increase
ULs for vitamin C
1/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#17
supplements
increase
ULs for vitamin B6
3/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#18
supplements
increase
ULs for niacin
10/19 individuals
-
exceeded
#19
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
serum values of vitamin D
progressive MS participants
-
significantly increased
#20
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
serum values of vitamin B12
progressive MS participants
-
significantly increased
#21
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
serum values of vitamin K1
progressive MS participants
-
significantly increased
#22
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
serum values of vitamin K2
progressive MS participants
-
significantly increased
#23
modified Paleolithic diet
increase
serum values of folate
progressive MS participants
-
significantly increased
#24
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
serum values of homocysteine
progressive MS participants
-
were significantly lower
#25
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
serum values of magnesium
progressive MS participants
-
were significantly lower
#26
modified Paleolithic diet
no change
serum levels of calcium
progressive MS participants
-
did not change
#27
modified Paleolithic diet
no change
serum levels of vitamin A
progressive MS participants
-
did not change
#28
modified Paleolithic diet
decrease
minimal nutritional risks
-
-
is associated with
#29
supplements
increase
excessive intake
-
-
may be of concern
#30
Abstract

Preliminary studies suggest that a modified Paleolithic diet may benefit symptoms of fatigue in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). However, this diet restricts the consumption of eggs, dairy, and gluten-containing grains, which may increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Therefore, we evaluated the nutritional safety of this diet among people with progressive MS. Three nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls were collected from (n = 19) progressive MS participants in the final months of a diet intervention study and analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) software. Food group intake was calculated, and intake of micronutrients was evaluated and compared to individual recommendations using Nutrient Adequacy Ratios (NARs). Blood was drawn at baseline and the end of the study to evaluate biomarker changes. Mean intake of fruits and vegetables exceeded nine servings/day and most participants excluded food groups. The intake of all micronutrients from food were above 100% NAR except for vitamin D (29.6 ± 34.6%), choline (73.2 ± 27.2%), and calcium (60.3 ± 22.8%), and one participant (1/19) exceeded the Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for zinc, one (1/19) for vitamin A, and 37% (7/19) exceeded the chronic disease risk reduction (CDRR) for sodium. When intake from supplements was included in the analysis, several individuals exceeded ULs for magnesium (5/19), zinc (2/19), sodium (7/19), and vitamins A (2/19), D (9/19), C (1/19), B6 (3/19), and niacin (10/19). Serum values of vitamins D, B12, K1, K2, and folate significantly increased compared to respective baseline values, while homocysteine and magnesium values were significantly lower at 12 months. Calcium and vitamin A serum levels did not change. This modified Paleolithic diet is associated with minimal nutritional risks. However, excessive intake from supplements may be of concern.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CholineDeficiency DiseasesDietDiet SurveysDiet, PaleolithicDietary SupplementsEnergy IntakeFeeding BehaviorFemaleHomocysteineHumansMaleMental RecallMicronutrientsMiddle AgedMineralsMultiple SclerosisNutritional StatusNutritive ValueRecommended Dietary AllowancesVitamins
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy65/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations18
Citations/Year3.6
Relative Citation Ratio1.33
NIH Percentile60.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.23
Normalized Score0.70
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