Association of Macro- and Micro-nutrients Intake with the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: a Case Control Study

ABSTRACT

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is the most prevalent autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and it has been suggested that nutrition might play a role in the etiology of MS. This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between MS risk and intake of some macro- and micro-nutrients in Tehran [Iran]. In this hospital based, case-control study, a total of 60 newly diagnosed patients with MS and 140 controls underwent face-to-face interviews. Information regarding the usual dietary intake of each individual in the past year was collected by using a valid and reliable 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Inverse significant associations were observed [P< 0.05] between the intake of protein [OR=0.19; 95% CI 0.04- 0.76] and micro-nutrients such as vitamin B1 [OR=0.10; 95% CI 0.02-0.53], vitamin B2 [OR=0.15; 95% CI 0.04-0.50], cobalamin [OR=0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.38], vitamin C [OR=0.20; 95% CI 0.07-0.58], vitamin A [OR=0.23; 95% CI 0.09- 0.59], vitamin D [OR=0.28; 95% CI 0.11-0.72], vitamin E [OR=0.15; 95% CI 0.05-0.41], beta-carotene [OR=0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.97], zinc [OR=0.05; 95% CI 0.01-0.27], magnesium [OR=0.12; 95% CI 0.03-0.47] and calcium [OR=0.23; 95% CI 0.08-0.67] and the risk of MS. The results suggest that intake of some macro- and micro-nutrients might be associated with reduced risk of MS. It seems promising that intake of nutrients at least in the dietary reference levels may decrease the risk of MS