Vitamin D could help lower relapse rates, says study

Vitamin D levels can make a big difference to those living with MS. Best known for helping maintain healthy bones, it can also affect the activity of immune cells, too.

We all understand the power of vitamin D via sunshine and that supplements come with varying levels of success, but it now looks promising for low to moderate doses, which may even be linked to lower relapse rates in people living with MS.

However, according to a new meta-analysis of clinical trials, higher doses did not show much of a benefit and supplementation overall did nothing to change disability scores.

‘Based on these findings, vitamin D supplementation (preferably low/medium dose) may be recommended as an important adjunct strategy for preventing MS relapses,’ the researchers wrote.

The study, ‘Vitamin D deficiency and multiple sclerosis relapse: a meta-analysis,’ was published in Frontiers in Neurology.

For people living with MS, their immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation that damages nerve cells.

Many people experience flare-ups, known as relapses, when symptoms suddenly worsen, or new symptoms appear.

Whilst for some, symptoms often improve after a relapse, many don’t fully recover.

‘Consequently, identifying key factors influencing MS relapse and potential interventions remains a major focus in neurology research,’ the researchers wrote.

Low vitamin D levels have consistently been linked to a higher risk of developing MS, and some studies even suggest that lower levels may be associated with more severe disability.

‘Our findings provide important evidence for understanding the role of vitamin D in MS management and highlight the importance of dosage optimisation,’ the researchers concluded.

Understand more about vitamin D and other helpful supplements with our Choices Diet and Supplements booklet