What role can diet play in autoimmune health, and what does the science say about plant-based eating and multiple sclerosis? In this episode of Living Well with MS, we speak with Dr Elizabeth George, a board-certified family physician and co-founder of the Healthy Eating Adventure programme. With more than 40 years of experience in preventive care, she shares why she began exploring the impact of diet on chronic disease and autoimmune conditions. The conversation explores the growing research linking whole-food plant-based diets, inflammation and the gut microbiome. Dr George explains how fibre-rich plant foods support beneficial gut bacteria, which produce compounds that help maintain gut health and influence immune function. We also discuss practical ways people can start eating more plant-based foods, the importance of community support when making lifestyle changes, and how to have constructive conversations about diet with healthcare professionals. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Dr George’s bio. 02:38 – Why a family physician turned to plant-based medicine 05:22 – The community experiment that launched a 28-day plant-based programme 09:53 – Can plant-based diets influence autoimmune conditions like MS? 11:42 – Gut microbiome, fibre and the link to inflammation 14:26 – Why most doctors receive little nutrition education in training 16:08 – Real patient stories of lifestyle change and chronic disease improvement 18:37 – Simple ways to start eating more whole plant foods 20:45 – How community groups help people sustain lasting lifestyle changes 24:38 – Talking to your doctor about diet and lifestyle choices 27:48 – Making plant-based cooking easy, enjoyable and family-friendly Connect with Dr Elizabeth George Follow Dr George on Facebook New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' 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 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.