loader from loading.io

Rethinking MS: Nutrition, Brain Health, and Outcomes

MD Newsline

Release Date: 07/29/2025

Innovation, Access, and the Future of Cardiac Care show art Innovation, Access, and the Future of Cardiac Care

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Quentin Youmans, a heart failure cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, explores the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced heart failure care. He shares insights into guideline-directed medical therapy, emerging device-based interventions, and the growing role of personalized medicine in improving outcomes for patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Dr. Youmans also addresses health disparities, access challenges, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in modern cardiology. Episode Highlights Advances in Guideline-Directed Medical...

info_outline
From Awareness to Action: Cancer Prevention & Patient Empowerment show art From Awareness to Action: Cancer Prevention & Patient Empowerment

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Aruna Anupindi, a consultant clinical oncologist based in Oxford, UK, joins the podcast to discuss evolving trends in breast and prostate cancer care. Specializing in breast and urological cancers, Dr. Anupindi shares insights from her clinical practice, highlights key takeaways from recent oncology conferences, and reflects on the growing importance of early detection, personalized therapies, and quality of life in cancer treatment. She also addresses disparities in screening uptake, emerging treatment strategies aimed at reducing chemotherapy exposure,...

info_outline
AI in Oncology: Building Smarter Clinical Trials and Closing Data Gaps show art AI in Oncology: Building Smarter Clinical Trials and Closing Data Gaps

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Arsela Prelaj, a thoracic oncologist and AI researcher at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in oncology. Drawing from her background in medical oncology and bioengineering, Dr. Prelaj discusses how AI is revolutionizing clinical trial design, improving trial success rates, and expanding patient access to innovative therapies. She shares real-world examples of how machine learning, large language models, and synthetic data are being integrated into cancer research, while also...

info_outline
How Parity and Breastfeeding May Guard Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer show art How Parity and Breastfeeding May Guard Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist and laboratory head at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, discusses groundbreaking research published in Nature exploring how pregnancy and breastfeeding influence immune protection against triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Loi shares insights into how reproductive history reshapes the immune system, particularly T cell activity, and how these findings may inform future prevention strategies, screening approaches, and immunotherapy development. Episode Highlights: The Immune System’s Role in...

info_outline
Axial Spondyloarthritis: From Inflammatory Back Pain to Targeted Therapy show art Axial Spondyloarthritis: From Inflammatory Back Pain to Targeted Therapy

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Joel Wright, a rheumatology fellow at UCLA, provides an in-depth, practical discussion on axial spondyloarthritis and related spondyloarthritides. Dr. Wright breaks down evolving disease definitions, diagnostic challenges, imaging interpretation, and modern treatment strategies, while emphasizing a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. The conversation highlights how early recognition and individualized therapy can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Episode Highlights Defining Axial vs. Peripheral Spondyloarthritis Dr. Wright explains the...

info_outline
Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr Virus, and MS Risk show art Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr Virus, and MS Risk

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Marianna Cortese, a medical doctor and epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shares groundbreaking research on the link between vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Her work, conducted within the U.S. military cohort, sheds new light on racial, genetic, and environmental factors influencing MS development and potential prevention strategies. Dr. Cortese discusses how vitamin D levels and immune response modulation play a role in MS prevention, and how EBV infection—now recognized as the...

info_outline
Living With HS: Tameka Carter’s Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment show art Living With HS: Tameka Carter’s Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, patient advocate Tameka Carter shares her personal journey living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, painful inflammatory skin condition often misdiagnosed for years. Tameka discusses the early signs of HS, the emotional and physical toll of delayed diagnosis, and the importance of finding a specialist who truly listens. She offers valuable insight into treatment decision-making, lifestyle changes, and the critical role of self-advocacy in managing a lifelong condition. Episode Highlights Early Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis Tameka reflects on...

info_outline
How Ultra-Processed Food Impacts MS Progression show art How Ultra-Processed Food Impacts MS Progression

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Gloria Dalla Costa, a researcher at Harvard University, shares groundbreaking insights into the role of ultra-processed foods in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Drawing from her research on environmental and metabolic risk factors, Dr. Dalla Costa discusses how dietary habits may influence inflammation, disease activity, and long-term neurological outcomes in MS patients. Her work reveals compelling evidence that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with increased inflammatory markers, worsened MRI outcomes, and a greater risk of...

info_outline
Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: Tracking Disease Progression show art Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: Tracking Disease Progression

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Ahmed Abdelhak, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, explores the cutting-edge world of fluid biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). With over a decade of experience as an MS clinical scientist, Dr. Abdelhak shares his expertise on the evolving role of biomarkers in understanding, predicting, and managing MS progression. He breaks down how markers like neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chitinase (CHIT1/CHIT3) offer insights into the underlying neuroinflammatory and...

info_outline
Optic Neuritis, MS Differentials, and Modern Treatment Pathways show art Optic Neuritis, MS Differentials, and Modern Treatment Pathways

MD Newsline

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Nilüfer Kale, Head of the Department of Neurology at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, provides an in-depth look into optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and related demyelinating disorders. She discusses the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and treatment evolution of these conditions—offering valuable insights for clinicians managing autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases. Dr. Kale also highlights the importance of accurate differential diagnosis, the role of neuroimaging and biomarkers, and how advancements in...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Olivia Wills and Karen Zoczak—accredited practicing dietitians and researchers from Australia—explore the evolving role of dietetics in multiple sclerosis (MS) care. Recorded at a global MS conference, the discussion spotlights the importance of individualized dietary support as part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care plan. Dr. Wills and Ms. Zoczak share insights from their latest research and real-world clinical experiences, highlighting how nutrition can improve symptom management, metabolic health, and overall quality of life in people living with MS.

Episode Highlights:

The Expanding Role of Dietitians in MS Care Dr. Wills and Karen Zoczak discuss how dietetics has grown from a peripheral topic to a respected tool in MS treatment. They emphasize that while diet is not a cure, it is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and quality of life.

Understanding Popular MS Diet Trends The duo unpacks common MS-specific diets like the Swank, Wahl's, OMS, and Best Bet diets—exploring their promises, pitfalls, and nutritional risks when compared to official dietary guidelines.

Introducing the MS Diet Risk Tool Karen introduces her soon-to-be-published tool that helps compare various dietary patterns with national dietary guidelines to identify potential nutritional deficiencies and risks.

Clinical Red Flags and the Importance of Individualized Nutrition From micronutrient deficiencies (like B12) to fiber intake, the dietitians explain how personalized dietary care can resolve symptoms like neuropathy, constipation, and fatigue while supporting broader brain and metabolic health.

Real Patient Success Stories Olivia shares powerful case studies, including a patient who reversed type 2 diabetes markers through nutrition and another who regained mobility and health after recovering from severe malnutrition with dietitian support.

Nutrition, Brain Health, and the Microbiome The conversation explores emerging research on the gut and oral microbiome, metabolic comorbidities, and how personalized nutrition could shape lifelong brain health in MS patients.

Advocating for the Multidisciplinary Model The episode closes with a call to action for clinicians: refer patients to dietitians early and often to maximize outcomes, reduce risk, and reinforce a unified care strategy.

Key Takeaway

Nutrition is a critical, evidence-based component of MS care. While it doesn't replace pharmacological treatment, dietetics offers a powerful way to manage symptoms, reduce comorbidities, and improve quality of life—especially when integrated into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.

Resources & Links:

Website: MD Newsline

Newsletter: Subscribe

Connect with Dr. Olivia Wills: Here


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.