Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Multiple Sclerosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin D is used to support or treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) based on a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting a link between vitamin D status and MS risk and progression. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that MS prevalence is higher in regions with less sunlight exposure, implicating vitamin D deficiency as a possible risk factor. Additionally, low serum vitamin D levels have been associated with increased risk of developing MS and with higher relapse rates and greater disease activity in those already diagnosed.

Mechanistically, vitamin D is believed to play an immunomodulatory role. It affects the function of dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells, all of which are involved in the autoimmune processes underlying MS. Experimental studies in animal models have shown that vitamin D supplementation can reduce disease severity.

Clinical trials in humans, however, have yielded mixed results. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest that high-dose vitamin D supplementation may reduce relapse rates or MRI disease activity in MS patients, while others have not found significant clinical benefit. Overall, the evidence supports vitamin D supplementation for correcting deficiency in MS patients, and it may have a role in reducing disease activity, but definitive proof of major clinical benefit is still lacking.

As a result, most guidelines recommend monitoring and supplementing vitamin D in MS patients, primarily to maintain general health and potentially modulate disease course, but not as a standalone or primary therapy.

More about vitamin D
More about Multiple Sclerosis

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis