Vitamin D supplementation alone may not replace the ability of sunlight to reduce MS susceptibility.
Although the exact cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown, a number of genetic and environmental factors are thought to influence MS susceptibility. Fortunately there is an animal model of MS called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or EAE which allows us to investigate possible treatment for MS. and so it was with this model that the following information was gleaned.
One potential environmental factor in MS is sunlight and the subsequent production of vitamin D.
Indeed, a number of studies have correlated decreased exposure to UV radiation (UVR) and low blood levels of vitamin D(3) with an increased risk for developing MS. Furthermore, both UVR and the active form of vitamin D suppress the disease in EAE. This observation led to the hypothesis that UVR likely suppresses disease through the increased production of vitamin D.
However, UVR can suppress the immune system independent of vitamin D. Therefore, it is unclear whether UVR, vitamin D, or both are necessary for the decrease in MS susceptibility. So the experiment first looked at continuous treatment with UVR and found that it dramatically suppressed clinical signs of EAE. Interestingly this continuous treatment caused only a modest increase in blood levels of vitamin D. This demonstrated that the levels of D3 obtained upon UVR treatment were insufficient to suppress EAE independent of UVR treatment
These results suggest that UVR is likely suppressing the disease independent of vitamin D production, and that vitamin D supplementation alone may not replace the ability of sunlight to reduce MS susceptibility.
This of course reinforces the fact that there is a much higher incidence and prevalence of MS as you move away from the equator
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This whole idea of sun/vitamin D deficincy? is really interesting to me. I’m a 29 yo woman in the US (KY) and just ‘finaaly’ diagnosed with MS after having ‘weird’ symptoms for the last 10 years. I’m now taking 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 a week along with Copaxone & tons of other meds, but I never thought of being vit D deficint… I have always drank milk & other dairy products, and live for the sun and always have???
Twitter: kathAVFM
said:
Sorry it took so long to get a diagnosis. When it was me I was being handed from doctor to doctor with nobody prepared to put a lable on it and it was my own research that led me to pin them down with this diagnosis. Even the neurologist I saw did a clinical examination and said there was nothing to clearly point at an MS diagnosis so I insisted on an MRI and when it came back the colour drained from his face !
Anyway that was over 20 years ago.
20,000 IU of vitamin D seems high and I would be concerned about reaching toxic levels. I wonder what your other meds are ? I follow the work of Ashton Embry PhD who made himself an exert when his son was diagnosed with MS. See this article of his
http://www.direct-ms.org/pdf/A.....tation.pdf
Ashton maintains that MS is a disease of vitamin D deficiency but this recent research does look like the vitamin D is only part of the story. He also advocates reducing dairy intake !
You’re so lucky to live in the sun and I’m sure it helps but as we’ve seen over and over the MS picture is a complicated one with several strands to it.
Interesting! I have not yet been diagnosed with MS, but suspect I will be, soon.
I have, however, been diagnosed as Vitamin D deficient and am supplementing. Plus, I’m pleased to see now, I was told to get 15 minutes of sun daily – extra-helpful advice, it turns out.
Thanks for this article.
xoxo
*j
The whole “vitamin D” theory cracks me up, yet of course I take my own, 50,000 mg weekly supplement along with the 250% RDA and more in daily OTC supplements such as Estroven.
I honestly believe one day they’ll figure out something more complex than vitamin D and/or sunlight exposure. There are so many factors never considered (or at least not discussed generally) such as radiation or other sunlight-related factors which may be geographically connected.
I was diagnosed with MS a whopping 30 years ago, which at age 56 makes my MS a more than HALF A LIFETIME partner– longer than either of my husbands lasted! And come to think of it, easier to take than either of them!
Cheers.
Joy
MS, like many other diseases has many things that can effect it. While studies do show people in the north have a higher likely hood of having it them people in the south, sunlight may be the greatest factor. I will say we have always been told to get 20min a day for 3-5 days a week the biggest thing to remember is you need the UV light and thus must be in the sunlight during the peak hours ( the time we are told not to be in the sun). Several studies I have read and research several friends Have done shows the connection to Vitamin D3. And while both may not be the full answer some times part of the answer can help. Add to this a proper diet which helps keep the body functioning to the best of its abilities and (Not to toot my own horn) chiropractic adjustments can help limit symptoms and slow down any possible progression naturally with out the possible side effect of medications.
Twitter: kathAVFM
said:
Personally I think it is a muti-facorial problem and while sunlight is fantasic it does seem that the vitamin D factor is not the whole story.
I ha=ve chiropractic treatment every 2 -3 weeks AND it helps enormously