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. 2019 Apr 12;6(4):e565.
doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000565. eCollection 2019 Jul.

Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in relapsing-remitting MS

J Nicholas Brenton  1 , Brenda Banwell  1 , A G Christina Bergqvist  1 , Diana Lehner-Gulotta  1 , Lauren Gampper  1 , Emily Leytham  1 , Rachael Coleman  1 , Myla D Goldman  1
Affiliations

Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in relapsing-remitting MS

J Nicholas Brenton et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess the safety and tolerability of a modified Atkins diet (KDMAD), a type of ketogenic diet (KD), in subjects with relapsing MS while exploring potential benefits of KDs in MS.

Methods: Twenty subjects with relapsing MS enrolled into a 6-month, single-arm, open-label study of the KDMAD. Adherence to KDMAD was objectively monitored by daily urine ketone testing. Fatigue and depression scores and fasting adipokines were obtained at baseline and on diet. Brain MRI was obtained at baseline and 6 months. Intention to treat was used for primary data analysis, and a per-protocol approach was used for secondary analysis.

Results: No subject experienced worsening disease on diet. Nineteen subjects (95%) adhered to KDMAD for 3 months and 15 (75%) adhered for 6 months. Anthropometric improvements were noted on KDMAD, with reductions in body mass index and total fat mass (p < 0.0001). Fatigue (p = 0.002) and depression scores (p = 0.003) were improved. Serologic leptin was significantly lower at 3 months (p < 0.0001) on diet.

Conclusions: KDMAD is safe, feasible to study, and well tolerated in subjects with relapsing MS. KDMAD improves fatigue and depression while also promoting weight loss and reducing serologic proinflammatory adipokines.

Classification of evidence: The study is rated Class IV because of the absence of a non-KD control group.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Subject-reported outcomes for subjects compliant to KDMAD at 3 (n = 19) and 6 months (n = 15) for depression
(A) Depression scores as a function of time adhering to a modified KD (as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory) and (B) fatigue levels as a function of time adhering to a modified KD fatigue (as assessed by the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale). Boxplots demonstrate the median and interquartile range. Whiskers represent the range. KD = ketogenic diet.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Change in baseline fasting serologic adipokine levels for compliant subjects at 3 (n = 19) and 6 months (n = 15) on KDMAD
(A) Serologic leptin as function of time adhering to modified KD and (B) serologic adiponectin as a function of time adhering to modified KD. Boxplots demonstrate the median and interquartile range. Whiskers represent the range. KD = ketogenic diet.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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