Sugar Linked to Disease Worsening in Mouse Models of MS and Crohn’s Disease
August 28, 2019
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health report that disease worsened in mouse models of MS and Crohn’s disease when mice were given sugary water, compared with mice given regular water. The experiments indicate that sugar triggered activation of the immune messenger protein TGF-beta, which in turn spurred on the production of immune cells known to promote inflammation. Blocking TGF-beta stopped production of the harmful cells.
Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings in the lab and in people, and to determine whether they can be translated into a
dietary strategy for helping to manage MS.
Read more from the NIH
Read the paper in Immunity
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
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