Results of two long-term studies suggest that vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Kassandra Munger of Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues examined data collected from the 20-year Nurses’ Health Study and the 10-year Nurses’ Health Study II, in which a total of 187,563 women gave information about their dietary habits and multivitamin use. Results showed that women who took the most vitamin D in supplement form were 41% less likely to develop MS than women with the lowest intake of the vitamin. The findings remained true even after MS risk factors such as age, smoking habits, and birth location were taken into consideration. Total vitamin D intake – that is vitamin D obtained from both food and supplements – also affected MS risk. With women with the highest total vitamin D intake being 33% less likely to develop MS than women with the lowest total intake. However, vitamin D from food alone appeared to have no effect upon MS risk.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Neurology 2004;62:60-65.
