Moving past antioxidant supplementation for the dietary treatment of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Current research has demonstrated the definitive presence of oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis (MS). This finding has led to clinical trial research which has indicated that specific antioxidants have the ability to effectively reduce markers of oxidative stress. However, few interventions testing antioxidant supplements have shown efficacy for reducing the symptom burden in the disorder. This paper quickly reviews what is currently known about oxidative stress and antioxidants in MS, explains which nutrients are critical for the creation and maintenance of the myelin sheath, describes potential negative effectors in the diet which may be contributing to oxidative stress, and how these aspects of diet, combined with current knowledge on antioxidants, may be able to be combined into a whole food dietary intervention which can be tested for efficacy in MS.