At the ACTRIMS Forum 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida, researchers unveiled compelling findings on the effects of a 6-month modified Atkins diet (MAD), a less restrictive form of the ketogenic diet, on patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The study demonstrated notable alterations in both immune composition and metabolic activity, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for MS management.
The investigation involved 39 participants with relapsing MS who adhered to the MAD regimen for 6 months. Comprehensive analyses, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), flow cytometry, and plasma metabolomics, were conducted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma samples collected at baseline and after the dietary intervention.
Post-intervention analyses revealed a reduction in pro-inflammatory phenotypes among myeloid cells. Notably, there was a shift from memory to naïve CD8+ T cells, an increase in both the abundance and suppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells, and a decrease in B cell activation. Multiplex ELISA assessments indicated significant decreases in plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2).
The MAD also prompted a metabolic shift from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation across various immune cell subsets. This was evidenced by decreased plasma concentrations of glycolytic byproducts such as lactate and pyruvate, alongside elevated levels of fatty acid oxidation intermediates like acetylcarnitine.
These findings underscore the immunomodulatory potential of ketogenic diets in MS, highlighting MAD’s capacity to reprogram immune cell metabolism and promote anti-inflammatory profiles. The study advocates for larger, randomized trials to further evaluate dietary interventions and their clinical outcomes, aiming to establish nutritional guidelines as adjunctive strategies in MS therapy.
Reference: Godfrey W et al. A Six-month Ketogenic Diet Alters The Immune And Metabolic Landscape In Multiple Sclerosis. Presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2025, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, February 27 – March 1.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
