Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system causes damage to tissues in the central nervous system. The disease results from both genetic and environmental factors. Studies of identical twins demonstrate that MS develops only in genetically susceptible individuals due to one or more environmental influences.

The epidemiology of MS provides a number of important constraints for the interpretation of the environmental factor which can be regarded as the main cause of MS. The disease has a very uneven geographic extent and occurs mainly in USA, Canada, western Europe, New Zealand and Australia where prevalences are generally greater than 50 per 100,000 population. In these areas there is a noticeable north/south gradient with MS being more prevalent in higher latitude, temperate regions. Also within individual countries there are significant differences in MS prevalence and incidence.

Other important constraints are the sudden increase in prevalence in the Faroe Islands following World War II occupation by British troops and the fact that residency in Hawaii increases the risk of MS for those of Japanese descent while simultaneously decreasing the risk for Caucasians. Studies have also shown that MS cannot be transmitted by person to person contact or by blood transfusion. Finally MS is a modern disease which appeared about 175 years ago. The prevalence has steadily increased from that time.

The various proposed environmental causes of MS can be tested against the epidemiological data base to see if they are compatible with the various constraints. All but one of the proposed causes, including a specific infectious agent (virus, bacteria) and common infectious agents (e.g. influenza virus), can be eliminated due to various incompatibilities with the established data. The only environmental factor which reasonably fits all the epidemiological constraints is diet.

The main disease processes in MS are breaches in the blood-brain barrier and the passage of activated and inactivated immune cells into the CNS. These cells initiate a variety of immune reactions which eventually destroy the myelin wraps on nerve axons. Myelin loss results in various physical disabilities which increase with progressive destruction of myelin.

The diet factors which can result in such disease processes are the ingestion of hypersensitive food and large amounts of saturated fats. Food hypersensitivities reduce the effectiveness of the blood-brain barrier through Type I (activation of basophils and mast cells) and Type III (deposition of immune complexes) reactions. T-cells are activated against CNS proteins (Type IV reaction) by both molecular mimicry of CNS self proteins by food proteins outside the CNS and by exposure of autoreactive T-cells to previously sequestered CNS proteins following passage of immune elements through a damaged blood- brain barrier. Saturated fats contribute to the disease process by promoting the formation of micro- emboli which also damage the blood-brain barrier.

Abundant anecdotal data indicate that many people have achieved either a permanent remission or a significant slowdown in disease progress through diet revision involving the elimination of hypersensitive food and a great reduction in saturated fat intake.

The most common foods which result in immune reactions and eventual MS are dairy, cereal grains, eggs, yeast and legumes. These are all foods which have been introduced into the human diet relatively recently and are genetically difficult to tolerate for some individuals. The steadily increasing prevalence of MS in the last 50 years is due to the greatly increased consumption of these problematic foods through the popularity of "fast foods".

The most effective treatment for MS is the elimination of all dairy, cereal grains, eggs, yeast and legumes as well as all foods which are shown to be hypersensitive by a blood allergy test for IgE and IgG4. Saturated fat intake should be limited to less than 15 g a day and polyunsaturated fat intake, including both omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids, should be increased. A variety of supplements including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and oils is also essential for healing and strengthening the blood- brain barrier, CNS tissue, immune cells and the intestinal wall. Strick adherence to this dietary regime will likely greatly reduce or eliminate exacerbations and lead to a partial or complete recovery.

Currently no research is being promoted or done on the relationship between dietary factors and MS. This is very unfortunate and is definitely not in the best interests of persons with MS. MS society officials must be informed of the major links between diet and MS and the great need for strong support of research efforts in this field. A major clinical trial which tests the efficacy of a hypersensitive food-free, low saturated fat diet is urgently required.