High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation to Manage and Prevent Multiple Sclerosis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on April 11th, 2025
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In patients with multiple sclerosis, low levels of vitamin D are linked to an increased risk of relapse, a greater disease burden, and more brain lesions. Vitamin D modulates the immune system by reducing lymphocyte differentiation and limiting the migration of immune cells across the blood-brain barrier. Based on this hypothesis, a study funded by the French Ministry of Health was conducted to assess the potential of vitamin D in managing multiple sclerosis and preventing relapses.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 316 participants with a median age of 34 years. To avoid the risk of vitamin D overdose, individuals with serum vitamin D levels above 100 nmol/L were excluded. MRI imaging was used to assess brain lesions, and roughly half of the participants had fewer than 9 lesions. The median vitamin D level among participants was about 45 nmol/L, with around 22% of them classified as severely deficient, having levels below 30 nmol/L.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an oral placebo or 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol every two weeks. After 24 weeks, researchers observed that those treated with vitamin D had a significantly lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis symptoms, with symptom onset delayed by over 200 days. In addition, vitamin D treatment resulted in improved MRI findings and fewer brain lesions. Subgroup analyses indicated that the treatment had the greatest clinical effect in patients with severe vitamin D deficiency and in those without spinal cord lesions.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 316 participants with a median age of 34 years. To avoid the risk of vitamin D overdose, individuals with serum vitamin D levels above 100 nmol/L were excluded. MRI imaging was used to assess brain lesions, and roughly half of the participants had fewer than 9 lesions. The median vitamin D level among participants was about 45 nmol/L, with around 22% of them classified as severely deficient, having levels below 30 nmol/L.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an oral placebo or 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol every two weeks. After 24 weeks, researchers observed that those treated with vitamin D had a significantly lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis symptoms, with symptom onset delayed by over 200 days. In addition, vitamin D treatment resulted in improved MRI findings and fewer brain lesions. Subgroup analyses indicated that the treatment had the greatest clinical effect in patients with severe vitamin D deficiency and in those without spinal cord lesions.