Friedreich’s Ataxia and Nutrition: Should You Modify What You Eat?

If you’ve been diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), you might start to look at different parts of your life — such as your mobility and how easy it is for you to get around — and consider how the rare genetic condition may impact those areas, or how those aspects may affect your disease.

One area you may look at is your diet: Should you be eating certain foods? Are there certain foods you should avoid? Is there a Friedreich’s ataxia diet you should follow?

Neurologist Ilia Itin, MD, explains if you need to follow a specific Friedreich’s ataxia diet and if taking certain supplements can help.

Does someone with Friedreich’s ataxia need to follow a special diet?

You may have heard (or researched online) that modifying what you eat, such as following a high-fiber diet, increasing protein or avoiding simple carbs, can benefit your health, especially if you have FA.

In some cases, certain changes may help. For example, if someone with FA experiences constipation, adding more fiber may be beneficial. But overall, there’s no need to eliminate or avoid certain foods if you generally eat healthy.

In fact, Dr. Itin says the best thing someone with FA can do is follow a balanced diet.

What does that mean, exactly?

A balanced diet means that you eat a variety of foods (think: fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and lean proteins) regularly.

Following a balanced diet comes with benefits like:

• Maintains a healthy body weight.
• Reduces stress on joints.
• Reduces fatigue.
• Maintains regular bowel movements.
• Improves energy levels.
• Improves mental health.

Eating a balanced diet — which includes limiting added sugar and processed foods — is a smart move to help you feel your best as you navigate Friedreich’s ataxia.

“If you eat well, you’ll generally feel better,” says Dr. Itin.

Can certain supplements help?

There’s limited research around how certain supplements like vitamin B3, resveratrol, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 may help people with Friedreich’s ataxia.

As more research is needed to fully understand if these supplements can help with the disease, Dr. Itin says your healthcare provider may recommend a multivitamin.

“One multivitamin a day may be enough to ensure an adequate supply of all vitamins, although there is no specific vitamin or vitamin group that should be emphasized in FA,” he adds.

Other dietary considerations

As your disease progresses, you may notice how it affects other parts of your body — and in some cases, you may then need to adjust or modify what you eat.

If you have swallowing issues

Some people with Friedreich’s ataxia may have difficulty with swallowing, known as dysphagia. And if that’s the case, you should work with your healthcare provider and specialists such as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to find a diet that’s appropriate for you.

Your doctor may suggest a test called a modified barium swallow (MBS), which analyses how you swallow through three different phases: your mouth, throat and upper esophagus.

“A modified barium swallow test can determine the extent and severity of your swallowing issues,” says Dr. Itin. “A particular diet can be recommended based on the findings.”

In some cases, people with FA may need to use thickening liquids to increase the consistency of the fluids, like water, milk, fruit juice, tea and coffee. These thickening liquids help control the flow of liquids, making it easier to swallow.

If you have heart problems

Friedreich’s ataxia can also have an effect on your heart. In fact, about 75% of people with the medical condition develop heart issues. So, can your diet help prevent heart issues associated with Friedreich’s ataxia? Not necessarily, especially if you’re already eating a balanced diet.

“People with Friedreich’s ataxia typically have conduction problems such as cardiac neuropathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and irregular heartbeat — not coronary artery disease,” clarifies Dr. Itin. “So, your diet won’t do much if you’re already eating healthy foods.”

If you have diabetes

About 30% of people with FA develop diabetes. Friedreich’s ataxia can cause damage to your pancreas, which is responsible for regulating your blood sugar. To be more specific, FA can impair the cells in your pancreas that make insulin.

And if your blood sugar levels increase, it can lead to diabetes. Your healthcare provider can determine if medication can help and recommend any dietary modifications such as watching how many carbs are consumed.

Bottom line?

It can be a long road learning how to live with Friedreich’s ataxia.

Looking for ways to modify your lifestyle when you’ve been diagnosed with a disease like FA makes sense — and is something you should discuss with your doctor.

And while there’s no specific Friedreich’s ataxia diet you should follow, focusing on eating a balanced diet is key — and can help improve your mood and energy levels.

“Overall, good nutritional status is important to keep people with Friedreich’s ataxia in the best possible shape to meet numerous challenges on their FA journey,” emphasizes Dr. Itin.