Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Nutrient Intake Among Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Community Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) often use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, specific CAM therapies used within this population have not been thoroughly described, particularly the use of supplements, herbal remedies, and dietary modifications. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of specific types of CAM used by adults with MS in the United States. Participants included adults who were diagnosed with MS at least 1 year prior to study enrollment. CAM use was measured using the CAM Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey, and nutrient intake was assessed using an Automated Self-Administered 24-h Recall. This study found that a majority (77 %, n = 27) of the sample used CAM within the past 12 months, the most prevalent type being vitamins/minerals (88.9 %, n = 24), nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products (NP) (44.4 %, n = 12), relaxation techniques (33.3 %, n = 9), and special diets (29.6 %, n = 8). Regarding diet, median percent calories from fat (37 %) and saturated fat (12 %) were higher than current recommendations, while dietary fiber intake met only 87 % of the adequate intake. Participants following the Paleo (7.4 %, n = 2) diet did not meet the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamins D and E, while those on the Swank diet (7.4 %, n = 2) were below the EAR for vitamins C, A, E, and folate. The results support previous findings that CAM therapies are commonly used by individuals with MS. Inadequate intakes of certain vitamins and minerals by those following the Swank and Paleo diet suggest these diets may be too restrictive, thus further research is warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. NINDS Multiple Sclerosis Information Page [http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/multiple_sclerosis.htm].

  2. Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research [http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm].

  3. Noonan, C. W., Kathman, S. J., & White, M. C. (2002). Prevalence estimates for MS in the United States and evidence of an increasing trend for women. Neurology, 58(1), 136–138.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Alonso, A., & Hernán, M. A. (2008). Temporal trends in the incidence of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Neurology, 71(2), 129–135.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Simpson, S., Blizzard, L., Otahal, P., Van der Mei, I., & Taylor, B. (2011). Latitude is significantly associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 82(10), 1132–1141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Anderson, D. W., Ellenberg, J. H., Leventhal, C. M., Reingold, S. C., Rodriguez, M., & Silberberg, D. H. (1992). Revised estimate of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the United States. Annals of Neurology, 31(3), 333–336.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Derwenskus, J. (2011). Current disease-modifying treatment of multiple sclerosis. The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York, 78(2), 161–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Walther, E. U., & Hohlfeld, R. (1999). Multiple sclerosis: Side effects of interferon beta therapy and their management. Neurology, 53(8), 1622–1627.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Apel, A., Greim, B., & Zettl, U. K. (2005). How frequently do patients with multiple sclerosis use complementary and alternative medicine? Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 13(4), 258–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Apel, A., Greim, B., König, N., & Zettl, U. (2006). Frequency of current utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 253(10), 1331–1336.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Marrie, R. A., Hadjimichael, O., & Vollmer, T. (2003). Predictors of alternative medicine use by multiple sclerosis patients. Multiple Sclerosis, 9(5), 461–466.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Stoll, S. S., Nieves, C., Tabby, D. S., & Schwartzman, R. (2012). Use of therapies other than disease-modifying agents, including complementary and alternative medicine, by patients with multiple sclerosis: A survey study. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 112(1), 22–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Berkman, C. S., Pignotti, M. G., Cavallo, P. F., & Holland, N. J. (1999). Use of alternative treatments by people with multiple sclerosis. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 13(4), 243–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Leong, E. M., Semple, S. J., Angley, M., Siebert, W., Petkov, J., & McKinnon, R. A. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicines and dietary interventions in multiple sclerosis: What is being used in South Australia and why? Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 17(4), 216–223.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. O’Connor, K., Weinstock-Guttman, B., Carl, E., Kilanowski, C., Zivadinov, R., & Ramanathan, M. (2012). Patterns of dietary and herbal supplement use by multiple sclerosis patients. Journal of Neurology, 259(4), 637–644.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Page, S. A., Verhoef, M. J., Stebbins, R. A., Metz, L. M., & Levy, J. C. (2003). The use of complementary and alternative therapies by people with multiple sclerosis. Chronic Diseases in Canada, 24, 2–3.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Nayak, S., Matheis, R. J., Schoenberger, N. E., & Shiflett, S. C. (2003). Use of unconventional therapies by individuals with multiple sclerosis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 17(2), 181–191.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Schwartz, C. E., Laitin, E., Brotman, S., & LaRocca, N. (1999). Utilization of unconventional treatments by persons with MS: Is it alternative or complementary? Neurology, 52(3), 626–629.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Stuifbergen, A. K., & Harrison, T. C. (2003). Complementary and alternative therapy use in persons with multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Nursing, 28, 141–147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sastre-Garriga, J., Munteis, E., Río, J., Pericot, I., Tintoré, M., & Montalban, X. (2003). Unconventional therapy in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis, 9(3), 320–322.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Shinto, L., Yadav, V., Morris, C., Lapidus, J. A., Senders, A., & Bourdette, D. (2005). The perceived benefit and satisfaction from conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in people with multiple sclerosis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 13(4), 264–272.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Barnes, P. M., Bloom, B., & Nahin, R. L. (2007). Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Institute of Medicine. (2001). Multiple sclerosis: Current status and strategies for the future. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Riccio P, Rossano R, Liuzzi G. (2010). May diet and dietary supplements improve the wellness of multiple sclerosis patients? A molecular approach. In: Autoimmune Dis. vol. 2010.

  25. About the Swank Low-Fat Diet for the Treatment of MS [http://www.swankmsdiet.org/About%20The%20Diet].

  26. Anderson, J. W., Trivieri, L., & Goldberg, B. (2002). Alternative medicine: The definitive guide (2nd ed.). New York: Celestial Arts.

    Google Scholar 

  27. McDougall, J. A. (1991). The McDougall program: 12 days to dynamic health. New York: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Willett, W. C. (2013). Nutritional epidemiology (11th ed., Vol. 3). New York, New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Shinto, L., Yadav, V., Morris, C., Lapidus, J. A., Senders, A., & Bourdette, D. (2006). Demographic and health-related factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis, 12(1), 94–100.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Schwarz, S., & Leweling, H. (2005). Multiple sclerosis and nutrition. Multiple Sclerosis, 11(1), 24–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Paleo Diet FAQ [http://thepaleodiet.com/paleo-diet-faq/].

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded in part by Arlette I. Rasmussen Graduate Research Award in Nutrition and Dietetics. The authors thank Dr. Dick Sacher for his time and Qualtrics expertise.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, 25 North College Avenue, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Laura Masullo, Mia A. Papas, Nancy Cotugna, Sandra Baker, Lauren Mahoney & Jillian Trabulsi

Authors
  1. Laura Masullo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mia A. Papas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nancy Cotugna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sandra Baker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lauren Mahoney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jillian Trabulsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jillian Trabulsi.

Additional information

Laura Masullo and Lauren Mahoney were students in the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware at the time of the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Masullo, L., Papas, M.A., Cotugna, N. et al. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Nutrient Intake Among Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States. J Community Health 40, 153–160 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9913-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-014-9913-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation