By Nina Hermansen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Many Danes are affected by brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's and ALS, either personally or as relatives. Denmark actually has the world's highest incidence of multiple sclerosis, and according to the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, the number is expected to increase in the coming years, particularly in light of increasing life expectancy.

Although we have known about brain diseases for over 200 years, there is still no cure. But fortunately, there are switches we can flip. According to research from Aalborg University, there are many indications that diet can affect the development of these diseases.

John Dirk Nieland, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Science and Technology at Aalborg University, along with a team of colleagues, conducted studies on mice showing that a diet high in saturated fat worsens the development of disease while a healthy diet has a positive effect on disease progression.

This is particularly relevant for multiple sclerosis that develops gradually through different stages.

John Nieland and his colleagues subscribe to the theory that diets high in saturated fat contribute to a shift in cell metabolism so that they go from burning sugar to burning fat.

John Nieland explains:

- It takes almost twice as much oxygen for the brain to burn fat – and when the body gets energy primarily from fat over a long period of time, it can lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain. This can initiate or exacerbate a variety of disease mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, all of which are linked to the development of brain diseases.

Patients can do a lot themselves

It is important to point out that the development of brain diseases is complex and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Not all genetically predisposed people will necessarily become ill, but they are at higher risk. John Nieland therefore makes an appeal to Danes who are either in the risk group or have already been diagnosed:

 - Our study was done on mice, and we have not tested it on patients yet. But we have data showing that people with reduced fat burning are protected against multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's and have a lower risk of being affected by ALS. Therefore, we are convinced that eating an adapted healthy diet can help prevent disease and possibly downregulate or reduce the progression of the disease. So if you are at risk, it is worth considering your dietary habits.

If you have already been diagnosed, you should know that there is actually a lot you can do yourself – and that does not involve the doctor. According to John Nieland it would be a good idea, for example, to refer patients with multiple sclerosis to a dietitian, even though this is not standard practice today.

Medicines for advanced disease

John Dirk Nieland has used his research to start the biotech company 2N Pharma that develops drugs based on the above and tries to regulate dysfunctional metabolism in the brain. The company has received USD 1 million from the US Department of Defense for the development of biomarkers against ALS and DKK 10 million from the BioInnovation Institute.

However, according to John Nieland, it is far from everyone who needs medication at all. Dietary changes should be the first choice:

- In the early stages of disease, it suggests that diet can be very effective, and it is recommended to start with this. When the disease is advanced, the balance in the body is so disrupted that medication may be necessary.