Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: Four Things Physicians Should Know
⢠There is also a longitudinal link between MS and vitamin D level. Only 1 longitudinal study measured serum vitamin D levels in individuals before the onset of MS. 2 That study showed that those with high levels of vitamin D (>100 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D) had a 62% lower risk of MS. This study provides perhaps the strongest evidence to date supporting a causal role for vitamin D deficiency on MS risk.
⢠Vitamin D supplementation may be a good strategy for patients with existing MS. Evidence for a treatment effect of vitamin D in modifying the course of MS is less compelling than evidence of a preventive effect. We await the data from adequately powered randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of vitamin D on relapse rate and disability. However, patients may benefit from vitamin D supplementation for prevention of osteoporosis and fractures.
1. Correale J, Ysrraelit MC, Gaitan MI. Immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2009;132(Pt 5):1146-1160. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19321461
2. Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis BW, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA. 2006;296:2832-2938. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17179460
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