There are many changes you can make in your lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, that you can supplement to your prescribed MS treatment to ensure the best control of your disease progression. One of them is eating fish on a regular basis. A new Swedish study (doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2024-335200) suggests that fish consumption can help reduce disability. In fact, the results showed a 34 percent lower disability progression over time in fish eaters.
The study followed almost 3,000 patients for up to 15 years, monitoring their fish consumption as well disability (measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)). Slowing of disability progression was achieved by eating either lean fish (haddock, cod) or oily fish (tuna, salmon, trout). The more regular the consumption and the earlier fish consumption is started after diagnosis, the better the outcome.
The most likely explanation for the connection between eating fish and slowing disease progression is that fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and taurine which are anti-inflammatory. Taurine is also an anti-oxidant that could help protect nerve cells. Further, the anti-inflammatory components in fish interact with the gut bacteria which affect inflammation and immune system function.
BeCareLink can help by quantitatively monitoring your neurologic function from home and calculating EDSS scores that you can follow yourself. Having access to the trends of your EDSS allows you and your clinician to monitor which treatments and which lifestyle changes help you most. Become empowered and drive your own MS care.