Gut Microbiota and Multiple Sclerosis: A Canadian and American Perspective
A study led by researchers at the University of Copenhagen reveals a link between the gut microbiota composition in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the course of the disease. The researchers observe that altering diet could influence the gut microbial community in a way that helps manage MS. The work appears in Genome Medicine, adding to a growing body of evidence about the gut–brain axis and autoimmune conditions [Genome Medicine].
The investigation tracked 148 individuals diagnosed with MS alongside 148 healthy participants. Blood and stool samples were collected at the study’s start and again after a two-year period to monitor changes over time.
The analyses showed clear differences in the gut microbiota between healthy volunteers and MS patients. The microbial landscape also varied with treatment status and disease activity. In patients who were in remission, there was an uptick in bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens, which are known to generate anti-inflammatory compounds. In contrast, MS patients tended to harbor a higher overall load of bacteria linked to the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The team also found an increased presence of certain viruses within the gut, including Caudovirales bacteriophages, in MS patients [Genome Medicine].
These findings point to the potential for diet to shape the gut microbiome in a way that could foster anti-inflammatory processes and potentially help control MS symptoms. The researchers emphasize that diet could become a practical tool for supporting disease management by nudging the microbial balance toward beneficial species and away from those that may drive inflammation.
One scientist noted that the work is helping to identify specific bacterial groups that appear to confer positive effects. The long-term vision is to see whether nutritional supplements could be developed to promote the growth of these beneficial microbes or even to introduce microbes that contribute to a healthier gut metabolism. Such interventions would aim to support patients in sustaining a favorable microbial environment as part of a broader treatment approach [Genome Medicine].
Although the exact triggers for MS remain not fully understood, advances in this area are encouraging. The researchers insist that future dietary strategies could help limit disease activity and provide additional support to therapeutic regimens, contributing to more effective, patient-centered care for MS in North America and beyond [Genome Medicine].