Overview
The purpose of this study is to test the effects of two dietary interventions, glycemic load and calorie restriction, on physical function, cognition, pain, fatigue, mood, and anxiety in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). The investigators will also explore the how the diet interventions impact inflammation, immunity, and metabolic biomarkers.
Description
100 participants will be randomized 1:1 to follow either a low glycemic load (GL) or standard GL diet for 32 weeks. For the first 16 weeks, all participants will eat enough calories to maintain their baseline weight. During the second 16 weeks, all participants will reduce calorie intake by 500kcal/day, with a goal of losing 5-10% of initial body weight. Participants will complete data collection at baseline (prior to randomization), at 17 weeks (after the weight stable phase) and again after completing the calorie restriction phase.
All participants will receive meal plans and groceries for the duration of the trial.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with RRMS or SPMS
- BMI 25-50 kg/m2 (overweight/obese)
- EDSS ≤6.5 (able to walk 100m with or without assistance)
- If on disease-modifying treatment (DMT), stable for 6 months
- If not on DMT, no DMT in previous 6 months
- No expected change to DMT in next 34 weeks
- Responsible for food preparation or have input into food preparation
Exclusion Criteria:
- MS relapse in previous 30 days
- Unable to walk 25 feet with or without assistive device
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Current use of insulin or sulfonylurea agents
- Score indicating low cognitive functioning on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m) assessment
- Actively engaged in a weight loss program or unwilling to follow assigned dietary pattern
- Unable to receive, store, or prepare food according to diet plan
- Medical contraindication to either treatment or control diet (including severe allergies that cannot be accommodated within either group)