Probiotic & Prebiotic Foods for MS: Do They Help or Hurt?

Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Cathy

Researchers have discovered that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) often lack good gut bacteria. However, it’s still unclear whether an unhealthy gut microbiome contributes to MS or if MS itself alters gut bacteria. Either way, gut health plays a critical role in managing inflammation, and since MS is a chronic inflammatory disease, it’s important to support your digestive system.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. – PubMed

Your gut microbiome is home to billions of bacteria and other microorganisms that impact your health. These microbes are influenced by dietary choices, and no two people have the same gut microbiome. This is why one diet doesn’t work for everyone.

Factors That Can Lead to Poor Gut Health:

• Antibiotics
• Diet
• Being formula-fed instead of breastfed as an infant
• High sugar intake
• How you were born (cesarean or vaginal delivery)
• Medications
• Lack of sleep
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Stress

Get a FREE Gut Health Tracker at the bottom of this article.

Repairing Gut Health: Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Different Perspectives

To support gut health, many experts recommend eating probiotic and prebiotic foods. However, there are differing views on the role of probiotics in MS. Some approaches, like the Wahls Protocol and OMS diet, encourage fermented foods to boost beneficial gut bacteria. Others, such as the Medical Medium, caution against them, believing they can feed harmful pathogens like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)—a virus strongly linked to MS.

Different Views on Probiotics & MS

• Pro-Fermented Foods (Wahls Protocol, OMS, Functional Medicine):
  • Help increase beneficial gut bacteria
  • May reduce inflammation and support the immune system
  • Recommended by many MS-friendly diets
• Against Fermented Foods (Medical Medium):
  • Believes fermented foods feed harmful pathogens like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Claims they release toxic byproducts that stress the liver and immune system
  • Suggests raw fruits and vegetables are better for gut health

Since every person is different, the key is to listen to your body and choose what works best for you.

Probiotic Foods

Probiotic foods contain beneficial bacteria that can help balance the gut microbiome. Many MS-friendly diets recommend eating probiotic-rich foods daily, but some people experience bloating, fatigue, or discomfort from fermented foods, especially if they have histamine intolerance, Candida overgrowth, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Examples of Probiotic Foods:

• Fermented vegetables (if tolerated)
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Miso (fermented soy)
• Pickles (fermented)
• Sauerkraut (fermented)
• Yogurt (made with coconut milk, hemp milk, or nut milk)

If fermented foods don’t work for you, focus on prebiotic foods and raw fruits and vegetables instead.

Prebiotic Foods

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Prebiotic foods are plant-based, high-fiber foods that help feed the good bacteria in your gut. Unlike probiotics, prebiotics do not introduce new bacteria; instead, they nourish the beneficial bacteria already present.

Examples of Prebiotic Foods:

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Chicory root
• Dandelion greens
• Flaxseeds (ground)
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Onions
• Tomatoes (nightshade—may not be tolerated by everyone)

Prebiotics promote a healthy gut, improve blood glucose levels, and support digestion. If you’re new to fiber-rich foods, start slow and increase your intake gradually.

Working Together: The Balance of Probiotics and Prebiotics

Eating prebiotic foods helps increase the number of beneficial gut bacteria. The more good bacteria in your gut, the less room there is for harmful bacteria. If you take antibiotics, be sure to take probiotics at a different time of day to help replenish your microbiome.

The Perfect Diet for Gut Health

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There’s no single diet that works for everyone with MS. Some people thrive on fermented foods, while others experience inflammation or digestive issues from them.

If you’re unsure, try eliminating fermented foods for a few weeks and reintroducing them slowly. If you react poorly, focus on prebiotic-rich foods and fresh fruits and vegetables instead.

For example, this is what I was dealing with:

• High level of CRP (an indicator of inflammation)
• High level of mercury
• Histamine intolerance
• Homocysteine buildup (BHMT gene mutation)
• Imbalance in neurotransmitters (MAO-A gene mutation)*
• Low cortisol
• Low level of potassium
• Many food sensitivities
• Methylation functioning properly (MTHFR gene mutation)*
• Difficulty detoxing
• Mycotoxins (mold)
• Overproduction of sulfur (CBS gene mutation)
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Yeast overgrowth (candida)

People with both the MAO and MTHFR gene mutations often have histamine intolerance. Even healthy foods like bone broth, fermented foods, and vinegar can increase inflammation.

The best diet is one that fits your individual needs. Start with an anti-inflammatory diet, then remove any foods your body doesn’t tolerate well. Consider an elimination diet to pinpoint specific triggers.

Do You Need a Probiotic Supplement?

Everyone’s gut microbiome is unique, making it hard to recommend a single probiotic supplement for MS. However, some research suggests probiotics like Visbiome (formerly VSL#3) may help.

A study on high-potency probiotics found that certain strains could reduce inflammation and support immune function. If you choose to take a probiotic supplement, look for one with multiple strains and rotate brands every few months to maintain diversity in your gut.

Final Thoughts: Find What Works for You

Adding probiotic and prebiotic foods to your diet can be beneficial, but it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds. Some people feel better eating fermented foods, while others find that fresh fruits, vegetables, and prebiotic-rich foods work best.

Experiment with different options and make adjustments based on what helps you feel your best!

Do you include probiotics or fermented foods in your diet? Let me know in the comments!

Gut Health Tracker

Subscribe for free and I’ll send you the password to my secret library filled with many printables including the Gut Health Tracker.

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5830904/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5794701/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463098/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29307299/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33629669/

Image by jacqueline macou, RitaE, and 이동원 lee from Pixabay.

Importance of Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods for MS