Vitamin D For Help In Ms Fatigue

Fatigue is the most common complaint for individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS. According to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, about 78 percent of MS patients experience fatigue, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Both animal and human studies have found an association between vitamin D status and the development of multiple sclerosis as well as the frequency of symptoms after diagnosis.

Association

According to "The China Study" by Dr. Colin Campbell, there has been a known association between the development of multiple sclerosis and increasing latitude for more than 80 years. Vitamin D is produced by the human body from sun exposure, which decreases as latitude increases. Based on this knowledge, it was hypothesized that vitamin D levels were the link between latitude and disease development and progression. Both animal and human studies have since supported this association.

Mechanism

In MS, the cells of the central nervous system are attacked by the body's own immune system, particularly the T cells. The active form of vitamin D is known to decrease the response of the T cells. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin D is also important for modulating inflammation, cell growth and neuromuscular function. A link between vitamin D status and fatigue and depression has also been noted.

Fatigue and Vitamin D Status

Results from a study examining vitamin D status and fatigue in 59 MS patients in the Netherlands were published in 2010. Researchers compared the vitamin D status of patients with scores on scales measuring fatigue and depression. The study found a correlation between depression and vitamin D status, but not fatigue. This study, however, did not examine the impact of supplementation on fatigue.

Supplementation

Further research is needed on the impact of vitamin D supplementation on fatigue symptoms in MS patients. If you have been diagnosed with MS, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels to determine whether supplementation is right for you. The Institute of Medicine recommends that all adults get between 600 and 800 international units daily to ensure an adequate amount for bone health.