Reversing Multiple Sclerosis Using Functional Medicine | Dr. Terry Wahls
What this episode covers
- Terry Wahls shares her journey from progressive MS and wheelchair dependency to functional recovery through a nutrient-dense dietary protocol she developed.
- Her approach centers on 9 cups of medicinal vegetables daily, elimination of grains and dairy, and targeted mitochondrial support.
- She has since validated this approach through clinical trials at the University of Iowa showing stabilized brain volume and reduced fatigue in MS patients.
Why it matters
Progressive MS is conventionally treated as a one-way decline with no prospect of recovery. Dr. Wahls' personal case and subsequent clinical trials suggest that intensive dietary intervention targeting mitochondria and inflammation can alter that trajectory.
One key action from this episode
Add more vegetables to your daily meals
What to do
Actions discussed in this episode. This is what one expert recommends — the full topic compares and ranks across experts.
- Increase daily vegetable intake to 9 cups across three groups: greens, sulfur-rich, and deeply pigmented.
- Eliminate gluten and dairy for 100 days to assess inflammatory triggers and symptom response.
- Add B vitamins, fish oil, and vitamin D as basic mitochondrial support alongside dietary changes.
Full context, impact ratings, and timing — available in related topics
Questions to take to your doctor
- Could an elimination diet help identify inflammatory food triggers contributing to my symptoms?
- Would you support monitoring my response to a high-vegetable, grain-free, dairy-free diet for 100 days?
- Can we add basic mitochondrial support supplements like B vitamins, fish oil, and vitamin D to my current treatment plan?
Full doctor prep with ranked questions available in the full topic page
Context
Shows how targeted dietary interventions may impact autoimmune conditions, fatigue levels, and neurological function in multiple sclerosis.
This episode does not prove that the Wahls Protocol works for everyone with MS or that it can replace disease-modifying drugs. The clinical trials are small, single-institution studies. Brain volume stabilization data has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal at the time of recording.
Where people go wrong
- Eating paleo but filling up on meat with very few vegetables.Misses the mitochondrial and detox benefits that come from high vegetable volume, not just grain removal.
- Trying to do the protocol alone without family or community support.Adherence drops significantly without shared meals and accountability from people around you.
What to expect over time
- First 30 daysFatigue may reduce noticeably and mental clarity may begin improving within the first month.
- Months 1-3Pain levels may start decreasing and physical function may begin returning in ways that were not expected.
- Months 6-12Larger functional gains like walking or cycling may emerge, though individual results vary widely.