Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting a large number of people every year. The exact causal factor for this disease is unclear, but it commonly affects middle-aged women, with known triggers like stress, childbirth, infections, poor diet, lack of sleep, etc.Many epidemiological studies have indicated that various genetic abnormalities are also critical drivers of the onset of MS. The major risk factors of MS identified include hypovitaminosis D while environmental protective factors include allele HLA DRB1 1501, obesity, Epstein-Barr virus infection, sexual hormones, and smoking.Our article explores the correlation between the deficiency of vitamin D and the onset and progression of MS. The study uses a systematic review methodology by researching and reviewing scholarly articles exploring the topic. We conducted online searches of literature on Google Scholar and PubMed using the keywords "vitamin D deficiency" and "multiple sclerosis" and accessed the relevant secondary literature sources for review. The variables under study included vitamin D insufficiency as the dependent variable while MS was the independent variable. Causal variables included environmental, genetic, and protective factors.We hypothesized that there is indeed a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and MS. The findings from our review indicate a strong correlation between the insufficiency of vitamin D and the onset and progression of MS. These results are essential in devising interventions to accomplish primary and secondary prevention of MS, as well as integrating vitamin D supplementation in current treatment protocols for MS.

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“…More recently, low levels of vitamin D were also reported as a negative prognostic factor in patients with MS, given their association with more severe MRI activity, cognitive impairment and evolution to secondary progressive disease course [ 22 – 24 ]. These observations strengthen the indication of maintaining 25(OH)D levels among PwMS of at least 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L), and preferably 40–60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L) [ 25 ], especially during the ongoing pandemic.…”

The Power of Vitamin D: Is the Future in Precision Nutrition through Personalized Supplementation Plans?

“…In recent years, as low vitamin D levels were recognized as a risk factor for the development of MS, some clinical trials investigated the impact of taking vitamin D supplements for treatment and relapse prevention in people with MS [ 105 ], indicating how important it is to incorporate vitamin D supplementation in MS treatment protocols [ 106 , 107 ]. According to the research of Simpson-Yap et al [ 108 ], MS patients receiving vitamin D at a daily amount of more than 5000 IU had a better quality of life.…”

The Role of Diet and Gut Microbiome in Multiple Sclerosis

“…Vitamin D inhibits the differentiation of antigen-presenting dendritic cells and B lymphocytes, as well as type 1 T helper (Th1) and Th17 cell proliferation. Vitamin D deficiency is believed to contribute to the development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), dysfunctional T helper cells, NK cells, and B cells in the CNS, which causes inflammation that damages neurons and oligodendrocytes in MS [ 28 ].…”

“…Recent studies have identified vitamin D response elements in the promoter region of the HLA-DRB1 gene. The activation of the vitamin D receptor by 1,25(OH)2D may alter the expression of this gene, thereby reinforcing the association between vitamin D and MS [ 28 ].…”