Vitamin D deficiency has long been considered a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis, but new research shows that supplementing with vitamin D at different doses does not reduce MS activity after the first MS attack.
Since the 1970’s, many observational studies have suggested that vitamin D could be an important factor in MS. This type of research collects data as it follows groups of people over a period of time. But because these studies are not controlled, the following questions remain unanswered:
Does vitamin D prevent MS?
How does vitamin D impact MS activity?
Can vitamin D supplementation decrease MS activity patients?
It may be true that vitamin D deficiencies are common in MS patients, but is this because this deficiency is a factor that causes or increases the risk of MS or could it be that what causes MS also causes low vitamin D in MS patients?
Answering these questions is important because it brings us closer to discovering the cause and finding a cure for MS. It also helps practitioners and MS patients have realistic expectations of supplementing with vitamin D. Optimal vitamin D levels are important for maintaining general health but will not greatly affect the activity of multiple sclerosis.
MS and Vitamin D observational studies
Data from the study, Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review, suggested that mothers who were vitamin D-deficient during pregnancy had a 90% increased risk of having offspring that would develop MS in their lifetime.[i]
Another study found that newborns with low vitamin D had an especially high risk of developing MS.[ii]
Subsequent research found that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a lower risk of MS attacks in relapsing-remitting MS, yet they also stated that the possibility of reverse causality could not be ruled out. It was possible that MS could cause low vitamin D.[iii]
Another study concluded that vitamin D supplementation may reduce long-term disability.[iv]
Additional research found that lower vitamin D levels were also linked to a lower chance of remaining relapse free,[v] to greater disability and disease severity in MS [vi][vii][viii][ix], and to a first MS attack developing into a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.[x][xi]
These are just a few of the studies linking vitamin D and multiple sclerosis but as the authors of these studies confirm, they are not able to determine if a vitamin D deficiency causes or worsens MS.
Researchers agree that there is need for larger, randomized, double blind, controlled studies to determine the true impact of vitamin D levels on MS activity.
New Research
To address the unanswered questions about the link between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis, a group of researchers conducted and published the study, Vitamin D did not reduce multiple sclerosis disease activity after a clinically isolated syndrome.[xii]
They questioned if taking an oral vitamin D3 supplement could delay the time of conversion from a first attack (Clinically Isolated Syndrome or CIS) to a definite multiple sclerosis diagnosis as per the MacDonald 2010 Criteria. They also wanted to explore if the therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation is dose-dependent, meaning that higher doses of vitamin D would provide a greater benefit. Finally, they wanted to ensure that all doses were safe and well-tolerated.
This double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study was conducted between 2013 and 2019. Two hundred and four participants from twenty three centres in Australia and New Zealand were enrolled in this trial. All participants delayed MS drugs while in the trail until a second MS attack occurred.
Doses of 1000IU, 5000IU, 10,000IU vitamin D or a placebo were administered once per day.
Study conclusions
They concluded that there was no clear evidence that vitamin D was effective as a disease modifying therapy in MS even though many people use it for this purpose. They also found that younger age, multiple symptoms and the presence of specific MRI lesions increased the risk of relapse.
The latitude of the participants in the study centre was also associated with a probability of conversion to MS, but changing the dose of vitamin D did not help with the higher conversion with a specific latitude.
This stated that their findings do not support the use of oral vitamin D supplementation (across the dose range 1000 to 10 000 IU per day) in adults after a CIS.
It is important to note that participants in this study were not vitamin D deficient at baseline, so it is possible that supplementing vitamin D in vitamin D deficient people with CIS could still have a therapeutic effect.
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with many diseases such as cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, various infectious diseases, mental disorders and autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, Crohn’s disease, and MS.[xiii]
Years of research have not answered the question, “Does vitamin D deficiency increase the risk of or worsen the activity of multiple sclerosis?” It’s important to address any nutritional deficiency for optimal health and immune function, but there is no clear evidence that vitamin D supplementation will make a significant difference in the outcome of multiple sclerosis.
There is a large and ever-growing body of research that MS patients suffer from dysbiosis and that MS is an infectious disease. Lyme disease is just one example of an infection that is intimately linked with multiple sclerosis and vitamin D deficiencies. Parasites can cause multiple deficiencies including vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron.
Research that seeks to identify which parasitic infections cause MS should be supported and funded as treating the cause is the only path to curing multiple sclerosis.
There are real solutions to recover from parasites today!
To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which are parasites. First, identify the enemy (parasites), then support the body and treat the parasites while following a holistic approach. When parasitic infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.
If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.
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Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have parasite infections
References:
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990512/
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5200855/
[iii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22700811/
[iv] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26518224/
[v] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1352458508094399
[vi] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ana.23591
[vii] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1352458508094399
[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3733190/
[ix] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3829240/
[x][x] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23836877/
[xi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990512/#CR55
[xii] https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10184522/2/Barkhof_Vitamin%20D%20did%20not%20reduce%20multiple%20sclerosis%20disease%20activity%20after%20a%20clinically%20isolated%20syndrome_AAM2.pdf
[xiii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990512/#CR10
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
