If you take Vitamin D could it prevent MS

[MissCelticFC]

I know there are no guarantees but could taking Vitamin D supplements lessen the risk of getting MS

[jujuminx]

So far they haven't found that taking vit D prevents MS but who knows maybe in the future they will find that in some people, if caught early enough it might help delay or lessen the chances of getting it.

I do take vit D suppliments b/c my D levels are low (or were as they are now normal with the suppliments).  I have lived in California and Texas my whole life and always gotten a lot of sun so go figure on the low D.

Both my children and my nephew and niece take vit D suppliments after I suggested it and talked with my sister who is a dr. Can't be too careful and with normal dosages, and it can't hurt.

Julie

[Deb61]

I live in Texas, where the sun most assuredly does shine, and I have very low vitamin D levels with MS.  Maybe it's because I can't get out in these heat!  Anyway, I'm taking a mega dose of vitamin D to get my levels up.  

Kell, I'd ask your son's pediatrician about the vitamin D.  Vitamin D can be toxic, even in adults, if you get too much.  Ask how much would be okay.  Maybe a good multi vitamin would be better, but if he's low, he may need a supplement.  I would think that what you're taking for yourself would be good and certainly not make the MS worse.  I take certain extra vitamins to prevent migraines, and they actually help me.  After the mega dose of Vitamin D (tomorrow's my last pill), I am supposed to take only 1000 units of vitamin D a day.  I would ask your doctor about the 2000 units to see if that's okay because if you're on an interferon you may need to just be cautious in regards to what your liver and other vital organs can handle.

[Eyesnlegs]

Just received this too:

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/article.jsp?id=4903

[kel1lost]

I'm kinda confused so I wanted to ask you a question about this.  I read recently that many of with MS had a low v D level.  Sonething starting out in the womb.  (sp)  sorry.  So my son was getting blood work done for his ADHD.  His Dr put him on some meds for it.  He's 5 yrs old.  So I asked them to check his Vit. D levels as well since he was getting blood drqwn anyway.  The blood work came back that his Vit. D is slightly low and his cholesterol is slightly high.

So what I am confused about is if Vit. is good for him to take b/c I have MS or if it is bad to take and will cause the onset of MS later on in his life.???

I started taking Vit. D3 2,000 ul a day, a multi vit. B12, and Omega 3,6,9.  Is it ok for me to take these or will it make my MN worse?

Thank you so much for any comments or advice!

Kell\

[tripnstumble]

I found this. Not sure if it's of much help but it was interesting none the less :)

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=226847

[supermum_ms]

Just to add to the confusion regarding vit D (lol) here in Australia, which is a hot sunny country, the stats are 1 in 3 people have vit D levels which are too low. Skin cancer stats are still too high but dropping, the campaine to minimise skin cancer are being blamed on our low vit D rates. We apparently got the message and we slap on the sunscreen, long sleeves, sunnies and hats to go outside and now we're not getting enough sun exposure to be healthy.

Our population is approx 21 million, thats 7 million or so with low vit D but we have dx MS stats of approx 20,000 (1 in 1050) if my math is right that works out to be just under 0.1% of the population dx with MS. If we assume all the dx MSers have low vit D that translates to less than 0.3% of that 7 million have both MS and low vit D.

I'm not sure if i'm making what i'm trying to say clear enough (lol) but from my reconning, vit D doesn't translate to MS, it may play a part but it seems logical to assume that our number of MSers would be a lot higher if it played a major part.

Cheers........JJ  

[Lulu54]

yes, we do know that the further north we go, the higher the rate of MS, which seems to correlate to the lack of sunshine.  How that all links together, though, is still a mystery.  The UK is rampant with MS cases, probably even more than is acknowledged through the NHS systems.


If you look around you, there are also people who grew up in the same place as you and they don't have MS.  Go figure !  
Lulu

[MissCelticFC]

I live in Scotland and Scotland has the highest rate of MS per population in the World and it has been suggested that could be due to the climate here and lack of sunshine etc

[Eyesnlegs]

I agree with Lulu although recent research has shown it can help slightly with symptoms in some people. I was adviced by my MS Nurse to take at least 2,000iu per day for 3 months as it could not do any harm and may help.

Some I know are taking much larger doses than that, I have only just started about 2 weeks ago so will let you know:)

Be Well
x

[Lulu54]

MissCeltic, that is a question being actively researched in many spots of the world.  There is strong suspicion that there is a link between Vit D and MS but they are not sure what that is.

Taking Vit D supplements as an adult probably doesn't influence MS, but that is just my guess. I believe they are looking at tht connection earlier in life, and it also includes genetic and geographic factors that are also unclear.

I recently had my D level tested and I had a 63, which is excellent.  And I have MS. Go figure that connection.

be well, Lulu