Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a relapsing and remitting autoimmune disease that is often more debilitating, when found in children, than when it occurs in adulthood. Though the exact etiology of MS is unknown, it is well understood that the disease process involves a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors, of which Vitamin D level, a modifiable environmental factor, has shown a direct correlation with the progression and development of MS risk. In fact, large cohort studies, epidemiology studies, and murine models have shown that a high vitamin D level is most beneficial in MS due to its immunomodulatory effects on T cells specific to the autoimmune process. This new found data has added much promise to the treatment of MS because although one cannot change their own genetic predisposition to the disease, vitamin D level can and should be therapeutically modified for optimal management.