How Terry Wahls, MD Used Diet and the Functional Medicine Approach to Reverse Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Learn more at fxnursing.com

In this powerful interview, Brigitte Sager, DNP sits down with Dr. Terry Wahls, MD, IFM Certified Practitioner and author of The Wahls Protocol, to explore how a functional medicine and lifestyle-based approach transformed her experience with progressive multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Wahls shares her deeply personal journey—from worsening MS symptoms and wheelchair dependence to regaining function and biking again—and how this experience reshaped her clinical practice and research focus. Together, they discuss the science behind cellular health, mitochondrial function, and why diet and lifestyle interventions play a critical role in neurological and autoimmune conditions.

This conversation also dives into the real-world challenges of nutrition research, including adherence, family dynamics, and the need for education and behavior-change support. Dr. Wahls highlights growing evidence showing improvements in fatigue, quality of life, and daily function for people with MS using dietary and lifestyle strategies alongside conventional care.

Importantly, this episode emphasizes the essential role of nursing professionals in helping patients implement sustainable lifestyle changes, monitor progress, and navigate care safely as health improves.

This episode offers hope grounded in science and is essential listening for nurses, clinicians, and anyone interested in functional medicine, MS, and food as medicine.

Learn more about functional nursing education and training at https://www.fxnursing.com/learn

Key Discussion Topics

• Dr. Wahls’ progression from MS diagnosis to severe disability and functional recovery

• The role of mitochondria and cellular health in healing

• Why nutrition studies are difficult—and what real-life success actually requires

• Evidence supporting dietary interventions for MS-related fatigue and quality of life

• Framing lifestyle and functional medicine as “creating health” alongside disease management

• Why nurses are essential for education, behavior change, and long-term success

• How identifying a patient’s personal “why” drives sustainable change

Dr. Wahls is the author of:

• The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles

• The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life: The Revolutionary Modern Paleo Plan to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions

You can find and follow Dr. Wahls here:

• Website

• Facebook