Diet and Its Potential Impact on the Prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis: Fasting Diets

This chapter explores the therapeutic potential of fasting diets in multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurodegenerative disease marked by inflammation and neuronal damage. Fasting regimens like intermittent fasting, time-restricted feeding, and the fast-mimicking diet are examined for their ability to modulate MS pathogenesis. Emphasis is placed on their anti-inflammatory effects and impact on key pathways, particularly the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, as well as the pathways through which they influence gut microbiota. While clinical trials demonstrate safety and positive outcomes in MS patients, optimizing fasting parameters and long-term effects necessitate further exploration. Large-scale trials comparing fasting types, associated benefits and risks, and considering diverse patient demographics are essential for establishing universal applicability as a complementary dietary approach to pharmaceutical MS treatments.