High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Alters Immunologic Profile in Multiple Sclerosis

Vitamin D has a multitude of biological effects, including an impact on the immune system. Studies have shown an increased risk to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) in those who have low vitamin D levels and increased numbers of brain lesions on imaging for those with low serum levels after diagnosis (NEJM JW Neurol Dec 2015 and JAMA Neurol 2015; 72:1458).

In this single-center study, researchers randomized 40 patients with MS to 800 IU (low dose) or 10,400 IU (high dose) of cholecalciferol daily for 6 months. Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency were excluded (<20 ng/mL). Serum vitamin D increased from baseline by 34.9 ng/mL in the high-dose arm and by 6.9 ng/mL in the low-dose arm. One relapse occurred in each arm. The percentages of IL…