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# Vitamin D deficiency may boost risk of multiple sclerosis
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/multiple_sclerosis_vitamin_d_deficiency_0401120846/
- Published: 2012-04-01T09:44:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:08:59.000Z
- Description: A review in Current Opinion in Neurology reports that high 25(OH)D at a first demyelinating event tracks with lower multiple sclerosis risk, as do high maternal levels for offspring. One small trial found no slowing of progression, but the authors call it underpowered.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, Vitamin D, Multiple Sclerosis, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PH.D.

Sunday April 1, 2012 ([foodconsumer.org](http://www.foodconsumer.org/)) -- A review study in Current Opinion in Neurology suggests vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of the development and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) or taking therapeutic doses of vitamin D may help prevent or treat MS in some patients if not all.

Multiple scherosis is a demyelinating disease leading to damage to the myelin sheath.

Kelly C. Simon and colleagues report that high concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D \[25(O)D\] at the time of a first demyelinating event is associated with a lower risk of MS and a decreased risk of MS among offspring whose mothers had high 25(OH)D levels.

However, a small study reportedly showed vitamin D intervention was not correlated with with slowed MS progression. But the authors cautioned that the study had little statistical power, meaning that the results were not reliable.

Also, immunological studies have shown that vitamin D modulated the immune system in a way that is favorable for preventing or slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis.

From a genetic viewpoint, rare variants of a gene called CYP27B1, which directs production of an enzyme that converts vitamin D to its active form, were found associated with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, comes with a myriad of health conditions including muscles symptoms, bowel and bladder symptoms, eye systems, sexual symptoms and speech and swallowing symptoms among others.

MS, which occurs often in more women than men ages 20 to 40, can result in complications including depression, difficulty swallowing and thinking, less ability to care for self, need for indwelling catheter, osteoporosis, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections.

In addition to vitamin D, a dietary supplement called lipoic acid may also help reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis or MS, according to the Linux Pauling Institute.