How to apply the findings
In May this year, a breakthrough MS Twins study of the gut microbiome was released. It identified two bacteria likely to be responsible for causing multiple sclerosis.
To many of us who’ve taken a lifestyle first approach to managing the disease, it doesn’t come as a surprise.
About the study
Scientists gathered 81 pairs of identical twins where one twin had MS and the other didn’t. Why twins? Because they share almost identical genes and early environments, making it easier to pinpoint what’s truly different between them – their gut bacteria.
The researchers didn’t just look at poop samples, they went a step further. They carefully collected gut microbes directly from the small intestine (the ileum) of the twins. Then they introduced these human gut microbes into special germ-free mice that were transgenic (which means bred to be prone to developing an MS-like* disease).
What did they find? The mice that received gut microbes from the MS-affected twins developed the MS-like disease (EAE) at a much higher rate than those who got microbes from their healthy twin. The results strongly suggested that certain gut bacteria can trigger MS.
Which bacteria? Eisenbergiella tayi (e.tayi) and Lachnoclostridium (lak-no-kloss-trid-ee-um) were identified as the likely culprits.
Why is this not surprising?
The job of e.tayi is to ferment dietary fibre. When fibre is scarce, but sugar is present, it becomes a mucus-eating machine and is thought to make holes in the lining of the intestinal walls. This exposes microbes directly to the blood.
Although ‘leaky gut’ is a widely used term, it’s not yet recognised by mainstream medical organisations.
In his book Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis, Professor George Jelinek , describes the barrier between the gut and the bloodstream as permeable.
E.tayi also releases ethanol and succinate (ethanol is a chemical compound used to create fuels). Not that surprisingly, these secretions stimulate Th17 pro-inflammatory cytokines, which drive an MS attack.
Many T cells congregate in the ileum. High on the petrol fumes of ethanol and succinate, the activated Th17 T cells flow into the bloodstream and launch the cytokine attack on our myelin.
E.tayi’s accomplice is Lachnoclostridium. Like the crown-of-thorns starfish in the Great Barrier Reef, the microbial blooms crowds out other beneficial bacteria.
The Rapid Acceleration of MS
Between 2017 and 2021, the rates of MS increased by 30 percent in Australia. At the time, I was stunned by this massive increase. But nobody else was. It reflected the same rapid acceleration around the Western world.
I say Western because it is North America, Canada, Western Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand that have the highest rates of MS per capita. Asian countries like China, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Africa, Thailand and Indonesia barely score a blip.
The Atlasofms.org shows there are 2.9 million people with MS right now.
Here’s another insight. The highest per-capita regions of MS also have the lowest intakes of dietary fibre. North America and Canada, for example, are getting about half of the WHO recommendations to eat 30 g of fibre per day.
It takes several factors to create MS. We haven’t solved the entire puzzle yet, but we know Epstein-Barr Virus plays a role, as do genes, particularly HLA-DRB1, plus our environment, lifestyle and behaviours all impact our risk of acquiring MS, our lived experience with MS, and disease progression.
Tellingly, there is no reliable prognosis of MS. Some people need wheelchairs. Others are running marathons.
There is also no known cure, but many claim to have stopped or reversed their MS (including myself). What they have in common is the belief that diet and lifestyle play an enormously influential role.
The Gut Microbiome has been the new frontier for research for a while now. This new study reaffirms its significance.
What does the gut have to do with it?
The gut microbiome—an ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and hormones—is like a living reef. A diverse microbiome is a healthy one. Encouragingly, it can begin to heal in just a few days.
The ileum, the final stretch of the small intestine, is where microbes interact most directly with the immune system. It’s lined with villi (finger-like projections) that absorb nutrients. A healthy gut keeps the villi packed closely, maintaining a strong barrier. Inflammation creates gaps, allowing toxins and bacteria through—fueling MS attacks.
Th17 cells gather here and, when overstimulated, trigger inflammation in the central nervous system.
Applying the Research: Eat to Stop MS Attacks
The MS Twins Gut Microbiome study showed bacteria that become mucus-eating machines if they don’t have any fibre.
Eating whole foods, plenty of fibre, avoiding too much sugar, salt and the petrochemicals in processed food has to be a good place to start.
Following a modified version of the Australian healthy eating guidelines. The only problem is, fewer than 5 percent of the adult population can follow them. (If only we had a pill for that. 😆)
How we stop bacterial microbes eating through the intestinal wall is by feeding them. Feed your microbes. Their favourite food is fibre. 🥦When we feed them fibre, they reward us with what’s called metabolites. These can be vitamins, hormones, or feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Or they can produce ethanol. They can make us feel wonderful, or, like the study, like a petrol sniffer. ⛽
The Twins study validates the Food Medicine Diet for MS. Get a simple and sustainable meal plan, binge the Food Medicine 21-day video course in 75 minutes.
1. Eat meals in the right order
If you’ve ever heard of popular Jessie Inchauspe (aka the Glucose Goddess), you might know she advocates eating meals in the correct order. It’s the old-fashioned way. I agree!
- Vegetables first
- Proteins
- Next Carbohydrates
- Dessert last
The reason we should eat vegetables first is that the fibre makes a physical netting in your stomach and small intestine. The fibre acts as a speed bump. Like this research shows.
2. Eat plenty of fibre
You can still eat whatever you want, but make sure you eat plenty of fibre. You need about 30 grams a day.
Don’t know what fibre is or where to get it? Here’s the fibre chart.
3. Don’t have sweets if you’re hungry
If you feel hungry or ‘hangry’, a chocolate bar is not the thing to go for. While a Mars Bar won’t ruin your appetite, it will puncture your ileum if you have MS.
Skip sugary food if you’re hungry. The MS Twins Gut Microbiome study showed e.tayi will eat right through the mucosal barrier of the intestinal wall if there’s no fibre, but there’s sugar.
4. Swap fizzy drink for green tea
Don’t waste your money on soda (fizzy drink). It’s empty calories without nutrients.
To reduce inflammation, drink green tea with dinner and afterwards. It’s good chilled or warm. Skip the sugar. Dr William Li supports drinking green tea all day long. I like coffee in the morning and green tea in the afternoon.
Wrapping up
The MS Twins Gut Microbiome study was groundbreaking, but it confirmed what so many of us with MS already know. What you choose to eat and drink makes a substantial difference. When we don’t eat enough real food, we’re creating a neurologically hazardous leaky gut.
We can use our food to stop it. We can eat to stop MS attacks, reduce inflammation, and help us feel great, even if we can’t cure MS. But honestly, isn’t that the whole point of having a life-changing disease? We use it to change our lives for the better.
Read about Diet for Multiple sclerosis
With love,
Be well XO
*The Mouse Model for MS Research
MS researchers often use mouse models to create a very similar condition known as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mice suffer inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system, and similar clinical symptoms like weakness, balance problems and difficulty walking. Poor little micies.🐭
Source
Yoon H, Gerdes LA, Beigel F, Sun Y, Kövilein J, Wang J, Kuhlmann T, Flierl-Hecht A, Haller D, Hohlfeld R, Baranzini SE, Wekerle H, Peters A. Multiple sclerosis and gut microbiota: Lachnospiraceae from the ileum of MS twins trigger MS-like disease in germfree transgenic mice-An unbiased functional study. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 May 6;122(18):e2419689122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2419689122. Epub 2025 Apr 21. PMID: 40258140; PMCID: PMC12067282.
