The Role of Vitamin D in Multiple Sclerosis

In Multiple Sclerosis (MS) there is a abundant amount of evidence that suggest that a higher intake of vitamin D, or higher levels of vitamin D may delay the onset of MS or improve the condition/state of the course. Studies showed that many MS patients have low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, especially during relapses. This may be because when patients fall under illness there Vitamin D levels will drop. Although low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with relapses of MS. A clinical study even found that vitamin D intake reduced relapses and the rate they occurred in. It has also been shown that higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been associated with improved T cell function.

It has also been widely hypothesized that MS patients who move farther away from the equator experience a progressive increase of cases and relapses. In fact pupils who live near the equator and the tropics rarely ever develop MS.

These points suggest that vitamin D levels may play a role on the onset of MS. However it has not been shown that vitamin D supplements prevent the development of MS, or help lower relapse rates.Further observations will be posted later!