Epub: Jelinek et al. Association
of fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation with quality of life,
disability and disease activity in an international cohort of people
with multiple sclerosis.Int J Neurosci. 2013.
Background: The
role of fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation in multiple
sclerosis is controversial, although there is some evidence to support a
beneficial effect.
Methods: We surveyed a large cohort of people with MS
recruited via Web 2.0 platforms, requesting information on type of MS,
relapse rates, disability, health-related quality of life, frequency of
fish consumption and omega 3 supplementation, including type and dose,
using validated tools where possible.
Objective: We aimed to determine whether
there was an association between fish consumption and omega 3
supplementation and quality of life, disability and disease activity for
people with MS.
Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken.
Of 2265 respondents, 1500 (66.2%) had relapsing-remitting MS; up to 1368
(91.2%) answered relevant questions. Those consuming fish more
frequently and those taking omega 3 supplements had significantly better
quality of life, in all domains, and less disability. For fish
consumption, there was a clear dose-response relationship for these
associations. There were also trends towards lower relapse rates and
reduced disease activity, significant only for flaxseed oil
supplementation, which was associated with over 50% lower relapse rate
over the previous 12 months.
Conclusions: Further dietary studies and randomised
controlled trials of omega 3 supplementation for people with MS are
required, preferably using flaxseed oil.
The survey says....eating fish is good for you.
However this is a bit of the same old same old....study done and they report a trend and further studies are needed.
Whilst listening to some student presentations about their work there was a trend here and a trend there so this language is learned at medical school and follows on into a working life. A trend means there was NO EFFECT and the study was a dud. I wish studies were done to get a definitive answer and so things can be put to bed rather than dribble on and on and on not really telling us much.