Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin D

Posted by admin on November 27, 2008 under Multiple Sclerosis, Vitamin D | 3 Comments to Read

It is known that if you are born above 35° latitude at approximately Atlanta, Georgia, and live at this latitude for the first ten years of your life that you have a 100% increase risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Recent studies have suggested that women and men who increase their vitamin D intake above 400 IU of vitamin D a day reduces risk of developing multiple sclerosis by approximately 40%.

References:

Munger KL, Zhang SM, O’Reilly E, Hernan MA, Olek MJ, Willett WC, Ascherio A. Vitamin D intake and incidence of multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2004; 62(1):60-5.

Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis, BW, Howard NS, Ascheino A. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA 2006; 296:2832-2838.

Ponsonby A-L, McMichael A, and van der Mei I. Ultraviolet radiation and autoimmune disease: insights from epidemiological research. Toxocology 2002;181-182:71-78.

Tags: MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Vitamin D

john p sisson said,

you never mentioned S.A.D
Columbia Presbyterian offers chronotherapy for this disease; and adds in negative ions treatment too.
My SAD is suicidal and needs more attention from the medical community
Thomas J Schwindenhammer said,

Your thinking on treating MS with HIGH dosage of D? I had taken Betaseron fir 1.5 yrs and was told that the signs of MS were still going on. I asked why try something else because I CAN’T handle the side effects anyway. For two yrs now I have been treating with high dosage of D (15,000 I. U. a day) for the last 2 years I have been told the MRI’S and all signs seem “OK” no change. I still have slight flare ups but nothing like before. Your thoughts PLEASE
admin said,

Dear Thomas,
It would be wise to have a blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D determined. 15,000 IU of vitamin D a day maybe okay as long as your blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is less than 100 ng/ml. If it is above 100 ng/ml I would decrease the dose.