Can Vitamin D Help With Multiple Sclerosis Management?

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Since then, a growing body of research has gradually solidified this connection. “Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that low serum vitamin D levels are linked to increased risk of MS development,” says board-certified neurologist Mary Ann Picone, MD, medical director at Holy Name Medical Center and multiple sclerosis specialist in Teaneck, New Jersey. “Evidence supports maintaining adequate vitamin D status for MS prevention.”

There’s also some evidence that supplementing with vitamin D may help manage certain MS symptoms. But some questions remain — such as which symptoms the nutrient is most likely to benefit. Here’s what experts have to say about the latest research on vitamin D and MS.

According to Andrew Wolf, MD, neurologist at the Rocky Mountain MS Center at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, the underlying reasons for vitamin D’s involvement with MS aren’t perfectly clear. But so far, it appears the vitamin’s impact on inflammation in the nervous system is probably at play.

There is strong research showing that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for developing MS, says Picone.

Everyone should get their vitamin D levels tested with a blood draw at least yearly as part of their routine healthcare, Picone adds.

May Reduce Intensity of Flares

“I generally recommend getting the vitamin D level to 40 ng/mL, as it’s an inexpensive and [generally] safe intervention [with monitoring by your healthcare provider],” Wolf says. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting your levels tested, and about the optimal vitamin D level for you.

May Lessen MS-Related Fatigue

Wolf says vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate MS fatigue — but a supplement may or may not solve the problem. “There are several studies evaluating the use of vitamin D supplementation to specifically help with MS-related fatigue, and the results of those studies are mixed,” he says.

More than focusing on a certain dosage, your doctor may emphasize getting your blood levels to a certain threshold, as Wolf does in his practice. “We typically supplement with vitamin D3 in order to reach a level between 40 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL and check this level with blood work every 6 to 12 months,” he says.

Always speak to your doctor before starting vitamin D or any other supplement. To choose a quality supplement, check the label for USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab approvals. That means the product has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity.

• Research shows that deficient vitamin D levels are a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis.
• Supplementing with vitamin D may also help reduce the intensity of flares and symptoms like fatigue in people who already have MS.
• There is currently no scientific consensus on the optimal dosing of vitamin D intake if you have MS. To help prevent vitamin D toxicity (which may cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, bone pain, low appetite, or fatigue), don’t take more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day, unless your doctor advises you to do so.
• Talk to your doctor about whether you should take vitamin D if you have MS or are at risk of developing it, and the best dose for your specific needs.