A look at recent research from a variety of disciplines
When it comes to research in MS, most of the conversation revolves around disease-modifying therapies, symptom management, and medical advancements. Of course these are critical components of MS care, but research is increasingly highlighting the essential factors we’ve talked about so far in this issue: overall brain and body health.
Editor’s Note: This article contains many references to research studies. You can search for each using the titles listed and the websites where they can be found, or view the online version of this article at MSCenter.org for direct links to each study.
MS doesn’t exist in isolation. Like many chronic conditions, it often coexists with other health challenges—known as comorbidities—that can influence disease progression, disability, and long-term outcomes.
In fact, an estimated 129 million Americans live with one or more chronic medical conditions (“Chronic Disease Prevalence in the US: Sociodemographic and Geographic Variations by Zip Code Tabulation Area,” available at CDC.gov), and for people with MS, conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and anxiety are among the most common (“Investigating the Prevalence of Comorbidity in Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trial Populations,” available at Neurology.org).
Research tells us that when MS is accompanied by other health conditions, the impact can be significant:
- Delayed diagnosis – Comorbidities are associated with longer time to an MS diagnosis.
- Increased disability – People with additional health conditions tend to experience more severe disability and faster progression.
- Higher mortality risk – Managing multiple chronic conditions increases the complexity of care and long-term health risks.
The good news? Many of the risk factors for developing these additional health challenges — such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking — are modifiable. While we can’t change the fact that MS is a chronic disease, we can take steps to protect brain health and improve overall resilience.
The Role of Physical Activity in MS and Beyond
One of the most powerful tools for supporting brain health in MS is exercise. Yet, despite its known benefits, upwards of 80% of people with MS do not engage in sufficient physical activity to achieve health-related benefits (“Safety of exercise training in multiple sclerosis: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis,” available at journals.sagepub.com).
For years, the misconception that exercise could worsen MS symptoms led many to avoid movement altogether. But a 2024 systematic review published in Frontiers in Public Health confirms what experts have long believed: exercise offers significant benefits for people with MS. According to the study, engaging in physical activity improves balance, walking ability, endurance, fatigue, and overall quality of life. Additionally, resistance training was found to be especially effective for reducing MS-related fatigue, while aerobic exercise showed the strongest effects on quality of life and mental well-being (“Effects of exercise in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” available at Frontiersin.org).
Beyond MS, physical activity has profound effects on long-term health. Studies have found that meeting recommended physical activity levels reduces the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease by 7% in men and 11% in women. These numbers are especially important considering that cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. (“Physical Activity and Lifetime Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer,” available in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, at LWW.com).
Weight, MS, and Mobility Challenges
For people with MS, excess weight presents unique challenges:
- It increases the risk of additional chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, all of which can complicate MS management (“Adult Obesity Facts,” from CDC.gov).
- Higher disability rates are observed in people with MS who are also overweight, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for better long-term outcomes (“Association of obesity with disease outcome in multiple sclerosis,” from jnnp.bmj.com).
But there’s hope. Data from the Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Quality of Health Care in America suggests that many chronic diseases are largely preventable. Their findings show that 80% of cardiovascular diseases and 40% of cancers could be avoided through health-protective behaviors such as:
- Regular physical activity
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Quitting smoking
- Taking prescribed medications as directed
These findings highlight the potential for proactive changes to have a big impact on both MS progression and overall health.
The Cognitive Connection: Social Engagement and Brain Health
While much of the conversation around brain health focuses on exercise and diet, one often-overlooked factor is social engagement. Emerging research shows that chronic loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to brain function as physical inactivity. A meta-analysis found that social isolation increases the risk of developing dementia by approximately 50%, even after accounting for demographics and overall health status (“Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Review and Commentary of a National Academies Report,” available at AJGPOnline.org).
This finding is especially relevant for people with MS, as social withdrawal is common — whether due to fatigue, mobility challenges, or the emotional burden of living with a chronic illness. However, staying socially engaged can have profound benefits, not only for emotional well-being but also for cognitive function.
A 2021 study, “Social support is linked to mental health, quality of life, and motor function in multiple sclerosis,” available at Link.Springer.com, collected data from 185 individuals recently diagnosed with MS found that those with greater social support reported:
- Higher quality of life
- Better mental health and cognitive function
- Less fatigue
These findings reinforce the importance of staying connected—whether through family, friends, or MS-specific support groups. Community engagement, social activities, and even virtual meet-ups can serve as powerful tools for maintaining cognitive resilience and emotional well-being.
The Path Forward: What This Means for MS Management
Living with MS means facing unique challenges, but research continues to show that the brain and body have a remarkable ability to adapt and recover when given the right support. While medical therapies remain central to MS care, lifestyle choices play an equally important role in shaping long-term health outcomes.
By prioritizing physical activity, balanced nutrition, weight management, and social engagement, people with MS can build resilience against cognitive decline, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life.
The evidence is clear: our daily choices matter. And while MS itself may not always be predictable, what we do to support our brain and body is powerful. n
