APPROACHING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS) & AUTOIMMUNITY WITH FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE With Dr. Terry Wahls
Host
Dr. Yousef Elyaman, Functional Medicine Primary Care Physician
Guest
Dr. Terry Wahls, Functional Medicine Physician, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Autoimmunity Expert, Creator of The Wahls Protocol
What You’ll Get in This Must-Listen Episode
In this powerful Express episode, Dr. Terry Wahls joins Dr. Yousef Elyaman to share how she defied the odds after being diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Once confined to a tilt-recline wheelchair, Dr. Wahls rebuilt her health using a functional medicine-based approach—now known as The Wahls Protocol.
She outlines how clinicians and patients can use food, movement, supplements, and mindset to shift the trajectory of autoimmune disease. Whether you're new to functional medicine or looking for a patient-centered roadmap for autoimmunity, this conversation is packed with practical insights.
Key Questions We’re Answering
- What sparked Dr. Wahls’ recovery from advanced MS?
- How can you introduce nutritional change without overwhelming patients?
- What are the three categories of vegetables that form the foundation of her protocol?
- Which supplements does Dr. Wahls consider non-negotiable?
- How do you balance conventional disease-modifying treatments with lifestyle interventions?
Why You Can’t Miss This Episode
Nearly 1 in 6 Americans suffers from an autoimmune condition. Dr. Wahls’ evidence-based approach provides a hopeful, practical roadmap for addressing chronic disease—starting in the kitchen.
What Listeners Will Learn
Key Insight
"You don't have to choose between medicine and nutrition—you can, and should, do both."
Top Takeaways
- The Wahls Protocol focuses on food additions first: leafy greens, sulfur-rich vegetables, and deeply pigmented produce
- Incremental changes can be just as effective long-term as comprehensive ones
- Mushroom intake is linked to better mood, memory, and cognition
- DMTs and lifestyle protocols are not mutually exclusive—they can work together to halt progression
Bonus Insight
There are modified versions of the Wahls Protocol for those with cardiovascular concerns or dietary restrictions, making it a flexible tool across patient populations.
Shareable Quotes
- "Food is the number one addiction—and also the most powerful medicine."
- "A smoothie with kale and green grapes can transform how a patient sees vegetables."
- "The more lesions in the brain and spine, the more urgent it is to use both medication and nutrition."
Special Event + Free Resources
Join Dr. Wahls’ 2025 MS & Autoimmunity Summit
Explore the tools, science, and strategies that can help patients reduce fatigue, improve brain clarity, and reclaim control over their health.
→ Register Free for the MS Summit
Get Dr. Wahls’ Free Bonus Ebooks
• What Is Damaging Your Patient's Nervous System
• Empower Your MS Journey: The Ultimate Supplement Guide
• Unlocking the Power of Cellular Health for MS Support
• The Wahls Protocol – Intro & Chapter 1
• Beat Bone Loss: Autoimmune & MS Guide to Stronger Bones
Disclaimers
- Educational Purpose Only – This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
- No Doctor-Patient Relationship – Listening does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.
- Supplement Use Disclaimer – Any supplement recommendations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult your provider.
- Professional Responsibility – Practitioners should use their professional judgment before applying strategies discussed.
- Liability Disclaimer – The host, guest, and affiliated organizations assume no liability for the use or misuse of the information shared.
This Episode's Sponsors
FMP Essentials – The #1 Resource for Functional Medicine Practitioners
www.fmpessentials.com
Humann – Clinical-grade nitric oxide support for energy, circulation, and metabolic health
https://pro.humann.com
Instagram: @livehumann
Connect with Us
Follow Dr. Terry Wahls
Instagram: @drterrywahls
Website: www.terrywahls.com
Follow FMP Essentials
Instagram: @fmpessentialshq
Website: www.fmpessentials.com
Follow Dr. Yousef Elyaman
Instagram: @drelyaman
Music Credit
‘Heroes Approaching - Extended’ by tunes2go
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