Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Bonus from the archive: The world of vitamin D and other supplements with Dr Conor Kerley | S7 bonus

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast.
Many experts believe that vitamin D is a key regulator of the incidence and severity of MS, and this is one of the reasons why ensuring sufficient intake of this critical natural resource is one of the pillars of the Overcoming MS Program. So, it’s timely that this episode of Living Well with MS picks the topic apart with a guest well-versed in his own right on the topic, Dr. Conor Kerley.  
 
For more information on the latest vitamin D research and advice check out our webpage: MS & Vitamin D Deficiency | Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis
 
Topics and Timestamps:   
01:29 General importance of Vitamin D 
02:18 Why is Vitamin D especially important if you have MS? 
02:44 Could MS cause low vitamin D rather than the other way around? 
06:01 How to measure your Vitamin D level?  
08:43 What’s a healthy level of Vitamin D to have?   
11:38 What type of vitamin D should I take? 
12:41 Balancing the benefits of getting Vitamin D from the sun with the risks of too much UV exposure 
22:22 How often do I check my Vitamin D levels? 
23:12 Anything else we should know about Vitamin D?  
26:12 Are there any other supplements someone with MS should consider taking? 
31:52 Is taking a multivitamin tablet better than individual vitamins? 
35:14 What minerals should be considered? 
37:51 Any future or current research into supplements? 
  
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.        
More info and links:       
Learn more about Vitamin D as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program    
Learn more about the Overcoming MS program  
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page   
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub   
Visit the Overcoming MS website   
For more information on the latest vitamin D research and advice check out our webpage: MS & Vitamin D Deficiency | Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis
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Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
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Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Gut health and MS with Dr Emma Short | S7E05

Welcome to Living Well with MS – your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being! In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of gut health with Dr. Emma Short, a leading gastroenterologist. She joins Overcoming MS Facilitator and Nutritional Therapist Sam Josephs to explore the gut microbiome and its impact on MS, discover healthy habits for better digestion and overall health and untangle the role of pre-, pro-, and post-biotics in gut health.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:43 Introduction to gastroenterology and Dr. Short’s groundbreaking work03:20 What is the gut microbiome and why it matters for your health08:36 How whole foods nourish your gut and support overall well-being13:07 The hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods on gut health14:31 The impact of lifestyle choices on the gut microbiome18:04 Short-chain fatty acids, leaky gut, and MS – what’s the connection?25:36 The ultimate daily gut-friendly foods you should be eating30:17 Prebiotics and probiotics: What they do and how to use them31:56 The ENERGISE acronym for health and wellbeing36:31 Expert tips for lifelong healthy habits
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
 
More info and links:
Follow Dr. Emma Short on Instagram
Read Dr. Emma Short’s book Healthy Gut, Happy You
Learn more about Dr Miguel Matthias’s work
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page  
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub 
Visit the Overcoming MS website    
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.
 

Webinar highlights – Stress management and mental health | S7E04

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that helps you make informed choices to support your health and wellbeing with MS. This week we delve into stress management and mental health with insights from Overcoming MS facilitators Yasmin Neves and Dr Phil Startin. They are joined by community members Melanie Lown and Bill Morgan, who share their personal experiences.
Meditation has been shown to improve quality of life in people with MS but it’s not always easy to get going. As Phil shares, "When we run Overcoming MS retreats or events, often one of the first questions we ask the group is 'which steps in Overcoming MS do you find the hardest to adopt?' And it's always meditation."
If this resonates with you, tune in to gain valuable perspectives and practical tips to help you manage stress.
 
Topics and Timestamps:
Personal experiences with stress management 
00:56 Yasmin introduces herself and dives into the stress management pillar—and why it's key to thriving with MS.
05:26 Phil shares his journey as an Overcoming MS facilitator & meditation teacher and how mindfulness transformed his life.
15:36 Melanie opens up about her Overcoming MS journey and the importance of being kind to yourself while adopting the program.
21:53 Bill reflects on how his MS diagnosis led him to meditation—and why it became a game-changer for his well-being.
Example practices
29:13 Yasmin explores the benefits of gratitude and heart-centered breathing for emotional resilience.
31:02 Phil discusses how slowing down during stressful times can help you regain clarity and balance.
31:47 Melanie shares her top tips for shifting out of “fight or flight” mode and finding calm.
33:59 Bill explains the power of deep breathing and how it can support both mind and body.
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
 
More info and links:
Listen to Melanie’s Living Well with MS episode S5E30 on Mindfulness and Self-compassion
Overcoming MS guided meditations
Listen to Sue Tibble’s Living Well with MS episode on mindfulness
Learn more about John Kabat-Zinn
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page  
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub 
Visit the Overcoming MS website    
Follow us on social media:
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Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. 
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Bonus from the archive: Andy McKenna is Stoked on MS | S7 Bonus

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast.
In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Andy McKenna, who has been living with MS without the use of MS medication since 2007. He is the driving force behind ‘Stoked on MS’ and through this, hopes to shine a light of hope on the reality of leading a healthy, productive and active existence by adopting the Overcoming MS way of life. 
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.    
   
Topics and Timestamps  
01:39 About Andy McKenna 
03:32 Andy’s journey to becoming an avid mountain biker 
05:31 How MS changed Andy's relationship with cycling 
11:38 What limitations has your MS introduced to your active lifestyle, and how have you dealt with or overcome them? 
20:00 What is Stoked on MS?  
22:14 Discovering Overcoming MS and experience with a lifestyle approach to MS management 
33:38 A piece of wisdom or inspiration to impart to someone newly diagnosed with MS 
35:07 Professor Jelinek’s Overcoming MS book 
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.        
More info and links:    
Learn more about Go where 
Learn more about Stoked on MS 
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page   
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub   
Visit the Overcoming MS website 
  Follow us on social media:
Facebook
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YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us: 
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Pregnancy and early parenthood with MS with neuro physio Becca Mullin | S7E03

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that helps you make informed choices to support your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we’re joined by Becca Mullin, a neuro physiotherapist and Pilates instructor specialising in post-partum clients with neurological conditions. Becca’s work is driven by a crucial gap she noticed while working in a busy London hospital—pregnant women with neurological conditions often lacked guidance on balancing their symptoms with the physical changes of pregnancy. Since then, Becca has dedicated her career to helping people with MS and other neurological conditions stay active—especially during pregnancy. Tune in now to learn how you can stay active and navigate pregnancy with confidence!
 
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Questions and Timestamps:
01:36 Becca’s introduction
02:57 The difference between a regular and neuro physiotherapist
05:13 Pregnancy support for people with neurological conditions
08:08 The benefits of staying active during pregnancy
12:05 Key recommendations for pregnant people with MS
16:17 Barriers to activity and how to overcome them
21:01 Introducing NeuroNatal Pilates for people with neurological conditions
24:20 What is Pilates and how it can help with MS symptoms
28:12 Becca’s top tips for pregnancy with MS
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
 
More info and links:
Learn more about Becca at uptonneurophysio.com
Follow Becca on Instagram
Exercise while pregnant infographic
Listen to S2E29 Pilates and MS: Building strength for everyone with Rachel Changer
Join the Live Well Hub 
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube 
Pinterest 
Overcoming MS website 
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. 
Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. 
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Webinar highlights – Healthy changes for you and your family | S7E02

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we welcome back health coach and Overcoming MS facilitator Laura Crowder with other familiar faces. Joining Laura, Overcoming MS Handbook co-editor Professor Michelle O’Donoghue, Circle Ambassador Vickie Hadge, and community member Ann Halstead discuss their personal journeys with Overcoming MS. Together, they explore the challenges, triumphs, and transformative power of lifestyle changes in living a full and healthy life with MS.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps
01:05 Laura Crowder’s MS journey
05:15 Professor Michelle O’Donoghue’s Overcoming MS journey
17:52 Vickie Hadge’s Overcoming MS journey
23:15 Ann Halstead’s Overcoming MS journey
28:22 The science supporting a plant-based diet for other diseases
30:32 Tips on not making two separate meals
33:00 Challenges introducing Overcoming MS to the family
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Watch the Overcoming MS Handbook webinar
Read the Overcoming MS Handbook
Michele O’Donoghue’s podcast episode S5E03
Vickie Hadge’s podcast episodes Season 4 Episode 1 and Season 2 Episode 13
The Esselstyn Heart Disease Program at Cleveland Clinic
Join the Live Well Hub
New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube 
Pinterest 
Overcoming MS website 
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
 
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Bonus from the archive: The science behind Overcoming MS with Dr Jonathan White | S7 Bonus

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast.
In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Dr Jonathan White as our guest! He is a practicing medical doctor in Coleraine, on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, who also works with Overcoming MS as a medical consultant and event facilitator. In this episode, we dig into some of the research that supports and helps advance the Overcoming MS Program. 
 
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.   
  
Topics and Timestamps:  
01:35 Dr. White’s Diagnosis 
06:30 The science that supports Overcoming MS 
11:03 Pros and cons of following the Overcoming MS Program 
12:33 History of the research behind Overcoming MS 
20:40 Changes between the first and second editions of Professor Jelinek’s book 
28:47 Possible future changes to the Overcoming MS Program 
  
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.      
More info and links:   
Learn more about Dr. White’s professional background 
Learn more about the Overcoming MS Program 
Get Professor Jelinek’s book on Overcoming MS  
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page   
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub   
Visit the Overcoming MS website  
Follow us on social media:  
Facebook  
Instagram  
YouTube  
Pinterest  
  
Don’t miss out:   
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.  
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

The research on lifestyle and MS with Charlie Peel | S7E01

In this episode, we welcome Charlie Peel, Healthcare Partnerships Lead at Overcoming MS. With nearly two decades of experience in neurology, Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge and insight in the field of holistic MS management.
Charlie joins CEO Alex Holden to explore the latest research on how lifestyle choices—like maintaining optimal vitamin D levels and fostering social connections—can positively impact life with MS.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps
01:47 Meet Charlie and her unique journey that led her to Overcoming MS
05:19 Charlie shares her impactful role as Healthcare Partnerships Lead at Overcoming MS
10:52 A personal mission - why Charlie wanted to work for Overcoming MS
15:11 Dive into Charlie’s research paper on the life-changing outcomes of Overcoming MS retreats and Pathways courses
21:13 Explore the latest research in holistic management of MS
24:23 Discover the newest findings on high-dose vitamin D for MS
28:10 Autophagy’s role in remyelination
33:05 What the MS community can learn from research into other brain conditions
36:42 The power of connection - research on social connections, community and mental health
40:42 Charlie offers practical advice for anyone new to the Overcoming MS Program.
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Bee Well with MS Podcast with Dr Agne Straukiene
Journal article: MS care: integrating advanced therapies and holistic management
ECTRIMS webinar 2024 learn more about the Vit. D trials and more
MS Brain Health Report
The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) podcast with Dr Fraser Quin
Read the studies Charlie cited in this episode:
MS care: integrating advanced therapies and holistic management
The D-LAY study under publication - presented at ECTRIMs Medscape Registration Results showed high-dose (100,000iUD every 2 weeks for 24 months) vitamin D3 supplementation was safe and well tolerated in CIS and RRMS (89% met 2017 McDonald criteria), and related to less disease activity in CIS
The beneficial role of autophagy in multiple sclerosis: Yes or No?
Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission
WHO Social commission It’s time to harness the power of connection for our health and well-being
The updated McDonald criteria for diagnosing MS
Join the Live Well Hub
New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page
Facebook 
Instagram 
YouTube 
Pinterest 
Overcoming MS website 
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode.
Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
 
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
 
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

The power of lifestyle change with George Mckinty | S6E26

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we are pleased to welcome community member George Mckinty as our guest! George is a bodybuilder from Wales who follows the Overcoming MS Program. He speaks with Geoff about adopting the Overcoming MS lifestyle, the unique aspects of being a man diagnosed with MS and exercise tips if you live with daily MS symptoms.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:15 George’s MS diagnosis and how he discovered Overcoming MS
04:00 Optic neuritis
05:20 Family history and genetic predisposition to MS
05:56 Adopting the Overcoming MS Program
08:27 Being a man diagnosed with MS
10:33 Accepting the diagnosis
12:02 Symptom management
13:34 Working out with MS symptoms
16:40 The 300 Challenge to support the Overcoming MS Charity
19:10 Positive outcomes from being diagnosed with MS
23:16 Tips for those just starting to adopt lifestyle changes
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Follow George on Instagram @GeorgeMckinty
Learn more about the 300 Challenge and how you can get involved
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us: 
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Top sleep tips for people with MS with sleep therapist Denise lordache | S6E25

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re talking to Denise Iordache, a Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapist, who specialises in sleep and stress reduction. Because addressing sleep disturbances is important for overall health and managing MS symptoms, Denise and Geoff discuss ways to fall asleep, stay asleep and quickly fall back to sleep should you wake up in the night.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
 
Topics and Timestamps:
01:05 Denise’s career and expertise
02:57 The mechanics of sleep and why it’s important
06:13 How much sleep do we really need?
10:00 The circadian rhythm, light exposure and the internal body clock
15:02 Sleep hygiene and the optimal bedroom setup
18:00 How to set up a bedtime routine
20:55 How to prevent waking in the night and how to fall back asleep if you do
25:15 Mindfulness and sleep
29:30 Keeping a sleep journal
32:26 Assign worry time during the day
 
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Denise’s recommended relaxation techniques:
Box breathing
Hypnotherapy
Guided editation
Schedule your worry time earlier in the day
Denise’s ‘Top 5 Tips’ for a stress-free bedtime:
Optimise your sleep environment: Invest in quality bedding, blackout curtains, and ensure your bedroom is a comfortable haven for rest.
Incorporate daily practices: Practice daily exercises such as mindfulness, meditation, self-hypnosis, or deep breathing, to manage stress effectively.
Establish a consistent sleep routine: Stick to a regular sleep schedule, creating a calming pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it's time to wind down.
Embrace natural light: Spend at least 30 minutes outdoors each day to benefit from natural light, positively impacting your sleep and overall well-being.
Reflect regularly: Journal your thoughts and feelings, asking reflective questions to gauge your progress and make necessary adjustments.
Journalling for wellbeing blog post
Research discussing Ghrelin and Leptin’s connection to sleep
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
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YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out: 
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us: 
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.