Could high-dose vitamin D help fight multiple sclerosis?

High-dose vitamin D appears safe for people with multiple sclerosis, and it may help quiet the immune system hyperactivity that marks the disease, a small clinical trial finds.
The study, published online Dec. 30 in Neurology, bolsters evidence that vitamin D might benefit people with MS. But clinical trials are still underway to answer the big question: Does taking vitamin D improve MS symptoms and alter the course of the disease?
The current study shows only that high doses -- 10,400 IU a day -- reduce the proportion of certain immune-system cells that have been implicated in the MS disease process.
"I'm not going to make any claims beyond that," said senior researcher Dr. Peter Calabresi, a professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
"We don't have enough data here to guide clinical practice," he stressed.
Bruce Bebo, executive vice president of research for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, echoed that caution. "This study was not designed to look at efficacy against MS. It was too small and too short to do that," said Bebo, whose group helped fund the research. Still, Bebo added, the findings are important for other reasons.
For one, he said, "they give us some hints about the mechanisms that explain the higher MS risk associated with low vitamin D."
MS is caused by an abnormal immune system attack on the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the brain and spine. That leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Typically, MS symptoms flare up periodically, followed by periods of remission. Over time, the disease can cause worsening problems with walking and mobility.
HealthDay

Could high-dose vitamin D help fight multiple sclerosis?

High-dose vitamin D appears safe for people with multiple sclerosis, and it may help quiet the immune system hyperactivity that marks the disease, a small clinical trial finds. The study, published online Dec. 30 in Neurology, bolsters evidence that vitamin D might benefit people with MS. But clinical trials are still underway to answer the big question: Does taking vitamin D improve MS symptoms and alter the course of the disease? The current study shows only that high doses -- 10,400 IU a day -- reduce the proportion of certain immune-system cells that have been implicated in the MS disease process. Im not going to make any claims beyond that, said senior researcher Dr. Peter Calabresi, a professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. We dont have enough data here to guide clinical practice, he stressed. Bruce Bebo, executive vice president of research for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, echoed that caution. This study was not designed to look at efficacy against MS. It was too small and too short to do that, said Bebo, whose group helped fund the research. Still, Bebo added, the findings are important for other reasons. For one, he said, they give us some hints about the mechanisms that explain the higher MS risk associated with low vitamin D. MS is caused by an abnormal immune system attack on the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the brain and spine. That leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Typically, MS symptoms flare up periodically, followed by periods of remission. Over time, the disease can cause worsening problems with walking and mobility. HealthDay