TL;DR

  • Vitamin D: Higher blood levels are linked to fewer relapses, slower disability, and lower risk of developing MS.

  • Antioxidants: Selenium, vitamins C and E, and glutathione-related enzymes may help protect nerve tissue from oxidative stress.

  • Vitamin B 12: Deficiency isn’t the cause of MS but may worsen nerve damage; low B 12 and high homocysteine are common in MS patients.

  • Supporting the body’s chemistry through nutrients can improve comfort and function, even if it doesn’t “cure” the disease.

Traditional medicine does not always bring good results for chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Natural approaches don’t “cure” MS but can often improve comfort and quality of life. In natural healthcare, we focus on supporting the person, not just the disease.

About 350,000 people in the U.S. live with MS. Studies show that certain nutrients—especially vitamin D, antioxidants, and vitamin B 12—may help improve function and reduce relapses.

MS and Vitamin D

There are a number of studies that look at vitamin D levels and their relationship to the disease. A review of studies published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy (Jun 2006; 40: 1158 – 1161) concluded that vitamin D supplementation may reduce the chances for developing MS and may also reduce the incidence of exacerbation in patients who already have MS. Newer research supports this idea.

One study published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis (2009; 15(1): 9-15) found that vitamin D had a protective effect in women and that higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced chance of developing the disease and reduced disability in those who already had the disease. A population-based study published in the Journal of Neurology (Volume 254, Number 5 /pages 581-590 May, 2007) found an association between low serum vitamin D and the level of disability in MS patients. The authors recommend testing for vitamin D insufficiency, and supplementing where needed as part of the clinical management of MS patients. Another cross-sectional study that was published in the journal, Multiple Sclerosis (2008 Jul 24; [Epub ahead of print]), found that serum vitamin D levels may be inversely associated with relapse rates in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Newer research also supports the use of vitamin D [Neurol Ther. 2017 Dec 14;7(1):59–85].

Antioxidants and Multiple Sclerosis

Antioxidants have also been studied. In the journal Biological Trace Element Research (1990;24:109-117) a study was published that looked at the antioxidant status of MS patients. The authors of the research state that studies have shown MS to be associated with low selenium levels and antioxidants like glutathione peroxidase (a selenium dependent enzyme) and antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E are of value to MS patients. People with MS exhaled more pentane—a marker of lipid peroxidation—during flare-ups than during remission or compared with healthy controls; levels fell again when symptoms eased (Neurochem Res. 1992 Feb;17(2):205-7.).  In another study that appeared in Biological Trace Element Research, 18 MS patients and 13 healthy patients (used as a control) were given 666 mg of vitamin C, 80 mg of vitamin E and 2 mg of sodium selenate, three times each day. The study found that MS patients had much lower glutathione peroxidase levels than the normal controls and that the supplementation drastically increased levels of the enzyme with no side-effects.

MS and B12

Vitamin B12 and its role in MS have been researched. A review article appearing in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (1992;55:339-340) looked at MS and B12 deficiency. While MS is clinically different from a B12 deficiency, both conditions are involved with demyelination. The article notes research that shows MS patients to have macrocytosis (a condition found with  B12 deficency). While not a cause, B12 deficiency may be an aggravating factor. A study appearing in the Archives of Neurology (August 1991;48:808- 811) found low levels of vitamin B12 in MS patients. The Journal of Neuroimmunology (1992;40:225-230) notes that MS patients seem to suffer from macrocytosis and high homocysteine. The author believes that there is more than a casual link between vitamin B12 deficiency and MS.