Bonus from the Archive: Gut health and your microbiome with Kim Venter | S8 bonus

What does your gut have to do with your immune system, your brain and the way you feel day to day with MS? In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with Kim Venter about gut health, the microbiome and why food may play an important role in supporting overall wellbeing with multiple sclerosis. Kim, who lives with MS herself, is a trained teacher, professional psychological counsellor and nutritional consultant. She shares how certain foods have affected her digestion, energy and symptoms, and why gut health has become central to her approach to living well. The conversation explores what the gut microbiome is, how diet can affect the immune system, and why people with MS may want to pay attention to digestion, food sensitivities and overall gut health. Kim also discusses practical ways to support the microbiome, from eating a wide variety of plant-based foods to trying fermented foods, prebiotics and probiotics. Originally broadcast in 2020, this episode has been edited to remove out-of-date content and reuploaded in 2026 to ensure it remains relevant and useful. 01:53 What is the gut microbiome and why is it so important?  03:15 How does what we eat affect our immune system?   09:01 Is it worth keeping a food diary if you’re having GI symptoms?  10:15 What is the low FODMAPs diet?  11:53 What is Leaky Gut Syndrome and how does it effect people with MS?  19:00 The gut–brain axis: does the blood-brain barrier stop foreign substances from injuring the brain?   22:12 For people living with MS, what can be done to help the gut and keep it healthy?  22:51 What are probiotics and prebiotics?   27:02 What can we to increase both probiotics and prebiotics?  30:50 How does gut health or lack thereof impact MS?  39:01 How does intermittent fasting affect gut health?  FODMAP Food Database App New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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.