scholarly journals The Role of Nutritional Lifestyle and Physical Activity in Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis and Management: A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3774
Author(s):  
Salvatore Fanara ◽  
Maria Aprile ◽  
Salvatore Iacono ◽  
Giuseppe Schirò ◽  
Alessia Bianchi ◽  
...  

Studies on the role of nutritional factors and physical activity (PA) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) go back a long time. Despite the intrinsic difficulty of studying their positive or negative role in MS, the interest of researchers on these topics increased during the last few decades, since the role of diet has been investigated with the perspective of the association with disease-modifying drugs (DMD). The association of DMD, diets, and PA might have an additive effect in modifying disease severity. Among the various diets investigated (low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, Mediterranean, low-fat, fasting-mimicking, and Western diets) only low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and fast-mimicking diets have shown both in animal models and in humans a positive effect on MS course and in patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, the Mediterranean diet is easier to be maintained compared to fast-mimicking and low-carbohydrate diets, which may lead to detrimental side effects requiring careful clinical monitoring. Conversely, the Western diet, which is characterized by a high intake of highly saturated fats and carbohydrates, may lead to the activation of pro-inflammatory immune pathways and is therefore not recommended. PA showed a positive effect both in animal models as well as on disease course and PROs in humans. Training with combined exercises is considered the more effective approach.

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Fidao ◽  
Alysha De Livera ◽  
Tracey Weiland ◽  
George Jelinek ◽  
Sandra Neate ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fatigue is among the most prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and significantly detrimental to mental quality of life. We examined the role of depression and physical activity as mediators in the fatigue-QoL relationship in MS. Methods Using an international study cohort measuring a wide range of lifestyle and clinical factors, determinants of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and mental quality of life (MSQoL-54; QoL) were assessed in 2,104 participants using log-binomial and linear regression, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the mediating role of depression and physical activity between fatigue and mental QoL. Results The median mental QoL score in the sample was 73.8/100. The mean fatigue score was 40.5/63, with 65.6% having clinically significant fatigue. In SEM analyses evaluating depression as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 14.17-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via depression accounted for over 30.8% (p < 0.001). This mediation effect was most pronounced for the Role Limitations from Emotional Issues (44.9%, p < 0.001) and Emotional Wellbeing (41.6%, p < 0.001) subdomains. Evaluating physical activity as a mediator of the fatigue-QoL relationship, mental QoL was 11.03-points lower in those with clinically significant fatigue, of which the indirect effect via physical activity accounted for only 1.0% (p = 0.001). Conclusions This study provides evidence that depression accounts for a majority of the fatigue-mental QoL relationship, while physical activity only plays a small role. While replication and longitudinal studies are required for validation, our findings may inform the development of treatments for reducing the impacts of fatigue and improving QoL in people with MS. Key messages Fatigue’s negative impact on emotional quality of life in multiple sclerosis is not a function of reduced ambulation but instead its impact on depression. Reducing depression may thus markedly improve quality of life in this population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1071-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo L. Cardozo ◽  
Izabella B. Q. de Lima ◽  
Esther M.A. Maciel ◽  
Nathália C. Silva ◽  
Tomas Dobransky ◽  
...  

Synapses are well known as the main structures responsible for transmitting information through the release and recognition of neurotransmitters by pre- and post-synaptic neurons. These structures are widely formed and eliminated throughout the whole lifespan via processes termed synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning, respectively. Whilst the first process is needed for ensuring proper connectivity between brain regions and also with the periphery, the second phenomenon is important for their refinement by eliminating weaker and unnecessary synapses and, at the same time, maintaining and favoring the stronger ones, thus ensuring proper synaptic transmission. It is well-known that synaptic elimination is modulated by neuronal activity. However, only recently the role of the classical complement cascade in promoting this phenomenon has been demonstrated. Specifically, microglial cells recognize activated complement component 3 (C3) bound to synapses targeted for elimination, triggering their engulfment. As this is a highly relevant process for adequate neuronal functioning, disruptions or exacerbations in synaptic pruning could lead to severe circuitry alterations that could underlie neuropathological alterations typical of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we focus on discussing the possible involvement of excessive synaptic elimination in Alzheimer’s disease, as it has already been reported dendritic spine loss in post-synaptic neurons, increased association of complement proteins with its synapses and, hence, augmented microglia-mediated pruning in animal models of this disorder. In addition, we briefly discuss how this phenomenon could be related to other neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia.


2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert I. Karpatkin

Compared with other neurologic disorders, relatively little literature exists to define or support the role of exercise in MS. This review describes issues relating to exercise in patients with MS, discusses relevant literature, offers exercise guidelines for persons with MS, and suggests topics for future research. Unique aspects of MS that affect physical therapy are addressed, including disease progression, fatigue, and thermosensitivity. Review of the literature includes discussion of strength training, aerobic exercise, and respiratory training. While physical activity was once contraindicated in persons with MS, current literature supports its therapeutic benefits in these patients. More research could be focused on the specific types of exercise appropriate for this patient population.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 3026-3036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel M Hall-McMaster ◽  
Gareth J Treharne ◽  
Catherine M Smith

People with multiple sclerosis experience barriers to physical activity. Thought processes are interwoven with garnering motivation to overcome these barriers. This study investigated in-depth the role of positive thinking in physical activity motivation of two women and two men with multiple sclerosis. Participants thought aloud while completing standardised measures of physical activity, stages of change and self-efficacy, and in response to planned and spontaneous questions. Four themes were formulated using inductive thematic analysis: thoughts about purpose, self-efficacy, the past and reinforcement through positive thinking. These findings have implications for physical activity theories and delivering appropriate physical activity interventions to the multiple sclerosis community.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Kaja Śmietanka ◽  
◽  
Bartosz Bielecki ◽  

2020 ◽  
pp. 214-238
Author(s):  
Alla A. Tvardovskaya ◽  
Valerian F. Gabdulkhakov ◽  
Natalya N. Novik ◽  
Almira M. Garifullina

Relevance. The increase of children interest in entertainment TV programs, mobile applications and video games available on the internet causes a significant decrease in their physical activity: children get used to a sedentary or lying down lifestyle. The research problem lies in the contradiction that arises due to understanding of the positive effect of physical activity on the development of the regulatory functions of a preschooler, and a significant decrease in this activity in the digital conditions of the modern educational environment. The relevance and prospects of the study of the relationship between regulatory functions and physical activity of preschool children in new digital environment are not yet fully realized. The objective of the paper is to review the studies by foreign scientists in order to identify and describe relevant indicators of physical activity in preschool children interrelated with the main components of regulatory functions (inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). Method. A theoretical review of research papers published over the past ten years (2010–2020) on the subject of relationship of various physical activity indicators and regulatory functions in preschool children. Results. The paper provides a comparative analysis of studies conducted by foreign authors. It allows to reveal basic indicators of physical activity in children which are essential for the development of regulatory functions (sufficiency of physical activity; age-related appropriateness; the nature of physical activity; the form of physical activity arrangement), and particular indicators (the relationship of physical activity and regulatory functions in various sports, duration and intensity of physical activity, the availability of software for the development of physical activity in preschool children) as well. Conclusions. The review showed that the majority of the authors emphasized the significant role of basic physical activity indicators and their influence on regulatory functions. Aerobic exercises are the most effective in the development of regulatory functions in preschool children. Particular indicators are selected from the studies of the development of regulatory functions in specific sports (football, karate, yoga, mini-trampoline), and additional research on the duration and intensity of physical activity is needed.


For a long time, a separation has been made between medicine and spirituality, but since the 90s, there has been an advent of spirituality after several researchers in North America have found that this dimension is linked to several pathologies and could play a role in the recovery of psychiatric patients. After a brief reminder about spirituality and religion and some concepts of mental health, we present three qualitative studies. The first aims to measure the degree of religiosity of the consultants of the center of addiction of Marrakech by using A religiosity Scale created by DR Dany R.Khalaf. The result of this first study is unequivocal, the patients of the center of addictology have a middle degree of religiosity with a certain profile a clear male predominance having less than 30 years, sedentary. Half of them is unemployed and did not passed secondary school in non-religious schools. Mostly Muslim, while occasionally consuming alcohol and consuming more than 10 cigarettes a day. The second study attempts to establish a link between religiosity and the impact it may have on the abstinence of alcohol addicts. The final result of this study is that religiosity has a definite impact on alcohol dependent abstinence and is even the main reason behind the abstinence of some patients. The third study sought to demonstrate the relationship between religion and suicidality among depressed patients. The result is that religion is one of the reasons for abandoning suicidal ideation and that it brings tremendous benefit to patients, which make them quit the idea of committing suicide. During both studies, questions relating to the integration of the spiritual and religious aspects of care were asked. The majority of patients want spirituality and religiosity / religion to be taken into consideration and integrated into their care while being with their doctor. After having seen all the benefits of spirituality and the positive effect it had on patients in the various studies, we can only conclude that spirituality has a primordial and very important role in the care of patients. . Herein, everything needs to be done, a protocol of care taking should be established, including this dimension and future psychiatrists needs to be trained to do it, and it should include a panelist such as “the leaders of the cults” in the care.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilpo Huhtaniemi ◽  
Maria Alevizaki ◽  
◽  

The concept of the direct involvement of gonadotrophins in tumorigenesis has been around for a long time. First, because the gonads are direct targets of gonadotrophin action, their tumours have been proposed to be gonadotrophin-dependent. Second, the recent findings of gonadotrophin receptors in extragonadal tissues has prompted the hypothesis that some extragonadal tumours (e.g. breast, uterus, prostate, pituitary and adrenal) could also be under the direct regulatory action of gonadotrophins. However, although supported by numerousin vitroexperiments and experimental animal models, the clinical evidence for a direct tumorigenic role of gonadotrophins remains weak. The purpose of this brief review is to present a critical evaluation of current information, both clinical and experimental, about the involvement of gonadotrophins in the induction and growth of gonadal and extragonadal tumours.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Józef Opara

Abstract The question of the role of physical activity in preventing disability in neurological diseases is the issue which is not in doubt. There is well known that physical activity in Parkinson`s disease and in Multiple Sclerosis patients is less than is the case in the general population. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the low physical activity of people with PD and MS. Improving physical activity delays the progress of physical disability and has the effect on increasing the quality of life in those two diseases. In this paper an descriptive review of the literature devoted to the effect of physical activity on risk of PD and its impact on disability progression in PD and MS has been presented. The different recommendations for physical activity and different methods of assessment have been described.


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