Trial shows vitamin D tolerated in higher doses in MS
There is evidence that insufficient vitamin D exposure via sunlight or diet leads to a higher risk of MS -- which suggests that increasing vitamin D intake in people with MS *might* be beneficial. The current "tolerable upper intake level" established by the US government is 50 micrograms/day (2,000 IU) but many scientists feel that even levels much higher than this would also be safe.
To see whether higher intakes would be tolerable for people with MS, researchers from Toronto conducted a 28-week clinical trial involving 12 people with active MS. The subjects were given supplemental calcium along with doses of vitamin D starting at 700 micrograms/week and increasing to 7,000 micrograms/week (2 to 20 times the current recommended upper limit). The main safety concern, excess calcium absorption, was not seen in any of the subjects -- serum calcium levels remained within normal bounds.
This study did not detect an effect on MS progression or activity, although an overall decrease in Gd+ lesions was noted over the 28 weeks. The authors conclude that this regimen of increased Vitamin D intake can be evaluated in further studies to see if it would be worthwhile.
Vitamin D
I have been taking 1400 IU/day for several years now with no adverse affects. Not sure if it is helping MS, but is cheap insurance.
Vitamin D
I have been taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D3 for several months and have seen clear benefits with no bad side effects. I have regained more feeling in my previously numb feet than I have had in 7 years. I have also seen some improvement in balance. Another member of my NMSS support group has been on the same therapy and has benefited tremendously. Before he could barely walk using two canes. Now he rarely uses a can and moves about much easier. Our somewhat unconventional endocrinologist, is about to move us to lower sustaining doses, either 5,000 or 10,000 IU/day.
I have done some research and it appears that one would need to take massive doses of vitamin D for many months or even years, to get into any of the much publicized side effects. I was only able to locate one instance of vitamin D toxicity. This was a dairy, somewhere in New England during the 1980s, that totally lost track of the vitamin D they were adding to their dairy products. After several years of adding several thousand times the desired levels, some people started showing up with symptoms of vitamin D toxicity. The literature is not real clear, but it appears that everyone recovered once their dairy got things under control. Remember, sunshine is a great source of vitamin D. Get out and walk, it will benefit you in multiple ways.
I am glad to hear it,
I am glad to hear it, Vitamin D is an important contributor for body general health but then again it needs to be taken in normal quantities. The body has a certain absorption capability and too much medicine intake can harm us if we don't get medical advice. Now I am on Fosamax treatment and it works really well on me.