Research – a new consensus on living a brain-healthy life with MS

A brand-new expert consensus on lifestyle choices to support brain health in MS has been published this month. The paper begins with the statement, “Brain health is a global priority for multiple sclerosis (MS) care,”  and emphasises that a combination of lifestyle choices and medication is vital for optimising brain health in people living with MS. The authors also stress the importance of input from a wide range of healthcare professionals in supporting effective brain health.

Lifestyle recommendations

This consensus was developed collaboratively by 69 healthcare professionals and individuals living with MS. Together, they identified 16 key lifestyle choices that significantly impact MS brain health.

It’s heartening to see how closely these recommendations align with the Overcoming MS Program. Many of the key points mirror the pillars of our approach:

• Physical activity, vitamin D, and medication are foundational elements of both the Overcoming MS Program and this new consensus.
• A balanced diet, healthy body weight, and a happy gut resonate with our guidance on a whole food, plant-based diet, with or without seafood.
• Managing stress through mindfulness and meditation supports mental well-being, improves sleep quality, and bolsters cognitive health. Stress management is a key pillar of the Overcoming MS Program. 
• Quitting smoking is now widely recognised as a key disease-modifying action, and we’ve recently updated our resources to reflect this.
• Social connectedness is central to brain health, and our Live Well Hub and Circles provide opportunities for connection, whether by geography or shared interests.
• Energy management can feel complex, but the positive news is that strategies like physical activity, quality sleep, stress management, and mood support can help significantly.
• Employment is a critical area of focus for maintaining brain health and overall quality of life. We are already working to bring resources around this to our community, and they will be available later in 2025. 

One area the Overcoming Program doesn’t yet cover fully is advice on avoiding illicit drugs and limiting alcohol.  However , this is something we plan to address soon in our resources.

Brain health framework forplwMS. Wills et al 2004

Supporting sustainable healthy lifestyle changes

The consensus paper also outlines 14 recommendations to support people with MS to make lifestyle adjustments that last long-term.

At Overcoming MS, we’re passionate about this topic, which is why our Program includes a pillar called ‘Change your life, for life’. Recent livestreams, such as “Behavioural Change: A Roadmap to Good Health” and “Revisiting Your Health Goals”  with Facilitator Laura Crowder, along with downloadable tools and plans, offer practical support for those preparing for change. Meanwhile, our Circles and peer groups are tailored to help people take action and sustain those changes.

Making lifestyle integral to MS care

This new expert consensus marks an exciting step forward in making lifestyle a core part of managing MS. It reinforces the advice we share, underscores the importance of supporting lifestyle and behavioural changes, and helps us identify areas for growth. As a charity, this insight is invaluable in shaping how we can better support everyone living with MS.

You can find the full paper here, along with downloadable images —perfect for sharing with your healthcare team.