b'in MS risk for every 50 nanomoles per liter for MS risk, many environmental factors areincrease in vitamin D, and this protective implicated in causing the disease, and vitamin Deect was stronger for samples taken before levels constitute one of these factors. the age of 20. Another study that looked Most experts agree vitamin D deciencyexclusively at women found the incidence of should be considered a modiable risk factorMS was 41 percent lower among women with for MS, and those at risk should be screeneda vitamin D intake of more than 400 IU/day, for vitamin D deciency. Although there hascompared with women who did not take been evidence vitamin D can have a role insupplements. disease progression and severity, no denitiveHistoricaldatasuggestswomenareat consensus has been made on this topic yet,higher risk of developing MS, and according and vitamin D supplementation alone shouldto a new study, a contributing risk factor to not be relied on as a treatment program.this could be due to lower vitamin D levels inwomen.Anotherstudywasconductedin While vitamin D is essential, it is also800,000 Finnish women and examined which possible to have too much vitamin D, whichwomen received a diagnosis of MS. Of the is why any new supplementation should bepatients who had multiple sclerosis, 58 percent discussed with a healthcare provider to ensurehad vitamin D deciency whereas only 52 a harmful megadose is not being consumed.percent of the women who did not develop MS Excessive vitamin D can be associated withhad decient levels of the vitamin. Interestingly, ectopic calcication, or deposits of calcium inthe researchers found women with vitamin places it should not be. This could lead to aD deciency were 43 percent more likely to higher risk of kidney stones and other side-develop MS than their counterparts who had eects. High doses of vitamin D, generallynormal levels of the vitamin. Additionally, like anything more than 5000 units per day, shouldthe US military personnel study, this study be done under the guidance of a healthcarefound that with each vitamin D increase of provider.50 nm/L, the risk of MS decreased by 39 percent. More research studies about the eects ofSeveral studies have shown that vitamin D vitamin D in MS are underway. The currentlevels are lower in MS patients than in controls. studies include research about the eectivenessOne study found that in patients with clinically of the current recommended amount ofisolated syndrome, vitamin D deciency was a vitamin D supplementation versus high-dosepredictor of developing clinically denite MS. vitamin D supplementation at reducing MSOthers have also found there was a correlation and how low vitamin D and childhood obesitybetween lower MS relapse rate in patients contribute to developing MS in children. with higher levels of vitamin D. Before incorporating vitamin D supplementsShould MS Patients Be Taking into your routine or increasing your sunVitamin D Supplements? exposure for vitamin D, be sure to talk withVitamin D levels alone should not be blamed your doctor about screening for vitamin Dfor causing multiple sclerosis. To date, no levels, discussing whats safe and helpful forsingle cause for MS has been found. Instead, in you, and using adequate sun protection whenthose people who have a genetic predisposition outdoors.23 msfocusmagazine.org'