The Importance of Vitamin D (Part II)

So we've talked about the scientific evidence that supports the importance of vitamin D in regards to preventing MS. But what about those of us who are already dealing with MS? Can vitamin D be helpful in symptom management and slowing disease progression? Referring again to research done by Direct-MS (see previous blog post for more information on Direct-MS) the results are exciting. 

According to their findings:
      "Some of the earliest evidence that indicated that vitamin D intake indeed did affect the MS disease process was the close relationship between seasonal differences in MS disease activity (attack occurrence, MRI lesion activity) and seasonal variations in vitamin D supply. A number of studies demonstrated that MS disease activity was highest in the spring when vitamin D levels were the lowest.

More recently, more specific studies have greatly supported the use of vitamin D supplementation for treating MS. A study in Australia in 2010 showed that every 10 nmol/l increase in vitamin D blood level resulted in a 9% reduced risk of a relapse occurring. Importantly it was found that a vitamin D level of 100 nmol/l was associated with a greater than 80% reduction in risk of a relapse. Similar results were found in a 2010 American study of pediatric MS patients in which every 25 nmol/l increase in vitamin D level resulted in a 34% reduction in the rate of relapse.

Lately, the same American researcher documented that, for adult MS patients, each 25 nmol/l increase in vitamin D was associated with a 15% lower risk of the development of a new lesion and that higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower relapse risk.  A very recently published study in Norway confirmed these results and found that each 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D was associated with 12.7% reduction in the formation of a new lesion. These data explain why lesion activity fluctuates with the season supply of vitamin D from the sun.

Another very recent (2012) study in France found that “vitamin D did indeed influence the relapse rate” and that every 10 nmol/l increase in vitamin D was associated with a reduction in the relapse rate of 13.7%. They also found that “relapse incidence rate ratio decreased as the blood vitamin D level increased up to 110 nmol/l, but a plateau effect was observed beyond this limit.”

When it comes to MS drugs and vitamin D, a 2012 study in Tasmania found that an interferon drug (e.g. betaseron) was only protective against relapse among persons with higher vitamin D levels. Astoundingly, it was found that an interferon drug increased relapse risk in those with a low vitamin D level!"

I found these results astounding. Vitamin D has been shown to work well in not only reducing relapses but slowing progression of MS. And not only does it do this without the nasty side effects connected to the usual prescription drugs for MS, but at a lot lower cost. In fact to take the recommended dose would cost pennies a day, a major contrast to the injections that cost hundreds of dollars a piece! Vitamin D is a much over looked factor for those with MS. I urge you, if you are not already taking high doses of vitamin D, please talk to your doctor about it and do further research on this topic. When this information was new to me, I was infuriated that those suffering major disability could have been helped with such a simple tool. My goal is to keep educating myself, become my own advocate, and find what helps me function at the highest level with the least side effects. 

Are you currently taking vitamin D or was this a new idea to you?

To read The Importance of Vitamin D (Part I) click here!