The research, published in The Journal of Nutrition, examined data from 840 subjects to determine whether there was a link between consuming a Mediterranean diet that includes unprocessed red meat, such as lamb, beef and pork, and a reduced risk of a first episode of CNS demyelination, a common precursor to multiple sclerosis (MS).
Lead author Dr Lucinda Black, from the School of Public Health at Curtin University, who completed the research as part of a postdoctoral fellowship, said the number of people being diagnosed with MS has been increasing globally. This might suggest that environmental factors, such as low sun exposure, low vitamin D, and poor diet, may be contributing factors.
“Previous research suggests that a Mediterranean diet can help to reduce the risk of certain health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and improve overall life expectancy. However, there is inconclusive evidence to suggest a Mediterranean diet also reduces the risk of developing MS,” Black said.
“Our research found that consuming one 65g daily serving of unprocessed red meat as part of a healthy Mediterranean diet may be beneficial for those at high risk of developing MS.”
It is unclear why consuming red meat combined with a healthy diet may lower the risk of MS, but red meat contains important macro and micronutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, selenium, potassium, vitamin D and a range of B-vitamins, many of which are important for healthy neurological function.
Co-author Professor Robyn Lucas, from The Australian National University in Canberra, said the research highlighted the importance of educating people who are at a higher risk of MS about the impact of their diet and other environmental factors.
“We know very little about how people can reduce their risk of developing MS, but previous research has shown that not smoking and ensuring people get sufficient sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels may contribute to this,” Lucas said.
“This new work provides valuable information on another way that people at high risk of MS might reduce that risk, which includes eating a healthy, Mediterranean diet that features moderate amounts of unprocessed red meat.”
Source: Journal of Nutrition
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxz089
“A higher Mediterranean diet score, including unprocessed red meat, is associated with reduced risk of central nervous system demyelination in a case-control study of Australian adults”
Authors: Lucinda J Black, et al.
