Western lifestyle and immunopathology of multiple sclerosis.

There is increasing evidence for a sudden and unprecedented rise in the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Westernized countries over the past decades, emphasizing the role of environmental factors. Among many candidates, rapid changes in dietary habits seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Here, we summarize and discuss the available evidence for the role of dietary nutrients, such as table salt, fatty acids, and flavonoids, in the development and pathogenesis of MS. We also discuss new and emerging risk factors accompanying Western lifestyle, such as shift work, sleep, and circadian disruption.

© 2018 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of The New York Academy of Sciences.