Study on the importance of milk in multiple sclerosis
People suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) often report worsening symptoms after consuming dairy products. A research team at the University of Bonn set out to find out whether there might be a connection between milk consumption and the occurrence of MS symptoms. To do this, mice were injected with different milk proteins - and some animals actually reacted to a certain protein with neurological abnormalities. But what does that mean for us humans?
The study at a glance
What does casein have to do with myelin?
The researchers suspected that the damage was caused by a misguided immune reaction. They compared casein with various proteins that are involved in the structure of the myelin sheath. They found a protein that actually bears a certain resemblance to casein. The protein's name is MAG, which stands for Myelin Associated Glycoprotein. In some mice, the immune system reacted to casein and produced antibodies against this protein. The structural similarity led to what is known as cross-reactivity. This means that the immune system subsequently "accidentally" attacked the MAG as well. Certain white blood cells, B lymphocytes or simply B cells, are responsible for this. They react to foreign substances in the blood and stimulate the production of antibodies.
What significance does the study have for people?
As the study continued, the researchers added antibodies from the mice to human brain tissue. There, too, they found that the antibodies were increasingly concentrated in the cells responsible for forming the myelin layer. The study also shows that the B cells of some people with MS respond strongly to casein. The scientists suspect that people who have this problem have developed an allergy to casein over the course of their lives. If these people consume fresh milk products, such as milk, yoghurt or quark, the immune system makes large amounts of casein antibodies available. This increases the risk that these will also attack the body's own MAG. MS sufferers who are also allergic to casein should therefore avoid consuming cow's milk, according to the authors of the study. Prof. Kürten's research group is currently working on a self-test that can be used to find out whether you have casein antibodies. This is because the presence of a casein allergy does not seem to be equally noticeable in everyone.
Do I have to give up milk now?
Previous studies have already indicated that in regions and population groups where more cow's milk is consumed, more people are affected by MS. This study could explain a possible connection. However, this does not mean that hypersensitivity to casein necessarily leads to MS. According to the head of the study, several risk factors are probably required for this. If you look at the individual medical histories - keyword: "the disease with a thousand faces" - the interaction of different factors seems to be responsible for the development of MS. Whether these are genetic factors or various environmental influences and how they affect each other has not yet been fully researched. Researchers around the world are trying to solve this puzzle and this study could contribute another piece to the solution.
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