Your stomach contains tiny microorganisms which might affect your brain operations. Scientists have found that particular gut bacteria might contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), which impacts the brain and nerves.
Researchers studied identical twins, where one had MS and the other did not. The identical DNA of twins enabled scientists to identify non-genetic differences between them. They found that two special types of gut bacteria, were more common in people with MS.
What is MS?
The immune system of the body starts attacking itself in Multiple Sclerosis, which is commonly known as MS.
Instead of protecting you, it starts attacking the brain and spinal cord.
Your nerves function as electrical wires that transmit body messages. These wires are covered by a protective “coat” called myelin. The immune system of MS patients creates damage to the protective layer of the nerve cells. The breakdown of the coat material prevents the “wires” from functioning correctly for message transmission.
The following issues can occur because of this:
- Walking difficulties or experiencing leg weakness.
- Blurry vision or eye pain
- Hands that feel clumsy or shaky
- Feeling very tired all the time
Doctors still don’t know exactly what causes MS.
The researchers think that the condition results from a combination of genetic factors, environmental elements, and possibly gut bacteria.
The Gut–Brain Connection
Your belly contains trillions of bacteria, which make up the gut microbiome. The majority of bacteria in your body function as beneficial agents which assist digestion, vitamin production and maintain your overall health.
Scientists now believe that your gut and brain maintain unexpected links through the gut–brain connection. Your gut bacteria use blood signals and nerve pathways to send messages to your brain, which operate like text messages.
The signals act as a beneficial system when bacterial numbers stay at a stable level. The body begins to send incorrect signals when the numbers of “bad” bacteria exceed their normal range.
Scientists studying MS believe that these gut signals could lead to immune system confusion, which results in brain and nerve attacks.
The new twin study shows this idea may be true.
By identifying the bacteria linked to MS, scientists hope one day doctors might be able to treat or even prevent the disease by changing the gut microbiome, for example, with special diets, probiotics, or medicines.
The Twin Study
Why Twins?
To really understand how gut bacteria might be linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), scientists studied 81 pairs of identical twins.
In each pair, one twin had MS and the other did not.
The study of identical twins proved to be a good choice because they share identical genetic information. The genetic similarity between the twins indicates that environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and gut bacteria are more responsible for their differences than genetic variations.
Finding Differences in Bacteria
When the researchers looked closely at the twins’ gut microbes, they found over 50 types of bacteria that were different between the healthy twins and the twins with MS.
These weren’t just small changes; some bacteria were much more common in the MS group.
- Eisenbergiella tayi
- Lachnoclostridium
Both of these are part of a larger bacteria family called Lachnospiraceae, and they showed up more often in the MS group.
The bacteria-infected mice developed illness at a higher rate. This gave strong clues that these microbes might be important “triggers” that set off MS in people who are already at risk.
The researchers stated that MS research faces challenges because multiple factors, including genetic elements, environmental elements, infections, lifestyle choices, contribute to its development and progression. But by using identical twins, they were able to rule out most genetic differences and zoom in on environmental ones, especially gut microbes.
This study is one of the clearest pieces of evidence yet that the gut microbiome might play a key role in MS.
The research indicates bacteria may trigger immune system miscommunication which leads to brain and nerve attacks although they do not represent the sole cause. Scientists believe this discovery could one day help doctors create new treatments, maybe by changing gut bacteria to protect people from MS.
Mouse Experiments
To test their ideas, the scientists didn’t just look at the twins. They also used mice. These mice were specially bred so they could develop an illness similar to multiple sclerosis (MS).
The scientists gave the mice gut bacteria from the twins.
These findings provided important evidence for the researchers.
- Mice that got bacteria from the twins with MS were more likely to get sick. The research subjects developed symptoms that resembled MS because their immune systems started attacking their nervous system tissue.
- Mice that got bacteria from the healthy twins stayed much healthier.
The bacteria proved to be the main factor that produced significant changes in the experiment. The mice underwent no genetic alterations because researchers provided them with gut microbes instead of genetic modifications. That gave the researchers strong clues that the gut microbiome really can affect MS.
Why This Matters
So, why is all this important? Because it suggests that gut bacteria might actually help trigger MS.For years, scientists have known that MS is caused by a mix of genes and environment.
The human gut microbiome functions as a crucial environmental factor that drives this process.
If doctors can figure out exactly which bacteria are harmful and which are helpful, they may be able to use this information to:
- Lower the risk of MS in people who are more likely to get it.
- Slow down the disease in people who already have MS.
- Scientists should develop innovative medical interventions that modify gut microbiome composition through dietary approaches, probiotics, and pharmaceutical interventions.
The discovery of this new target is significant because most existing treatments for MS concentrate on reducing immune system activity. The solution to gut bacteria-related problems may require initial treatment within the stomach rather than focusing on brain-based approaches.
Limitations
Even though this study is very important, it’s not perfect.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- The mouse experiments show strong evidence, but mice are not equivalent to human beings. What happens in mice doesn’t always happen in people.
- MS represents a highly complex medical condition. It’s not caused by just one thing. The development of type 1 diabetes seems to result from a combination of genetic factors, environmental elements, and bacterial infections.
- Scientists still don’t know exactly how these bacteria trigger MS. Scientists need to conduct more research to prove that modifying the gut microbiome works as a treatment for patients.
The research brings significant progress, but it creates a base for future investigations.
Small gut bacteria appear to have a significant impact on brain wellness. This study of twins and mice shows that certain bacteria could help trigger MS by confusing the body’s defense system.
This discovery brings new possibilities for treatment. In the future, doctors may be able to treat or help prevent MS with approaches that modify the gut rather than focusing solely on the brain.
The study demonstrates that substances in the stomach can directly impact the condition of the brain.
Been taking 2 cloves of chopped raw garlic for 5 years since my MS diagnosis, I refused all medicines because I had lived in the Philippines for over 10 years without any issues at all. After residing back in the U.K for around a year and a week after the covid vaccine I became unwell numbness in legs,had the usual MRI scans which showed one lesion on my spine and a few on Brain. Had an MRI check up last year and the lesions have gone and the lesion on my spine which interrupted the brain communication from my bladder to brain has re-routed leaving doctors confused and scratching their heads I do not hear from MS clinics or alikes anymore. Was this the garlic ? I used to suffer from terrible reflux acid as well but this has stopped since taking the garlic.