The Sunshine Solution? High-Dose Vitamin D Shows Promise in Early Multiple Sclerosis

Could high doses of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ help to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS)? The results of a new clinical trial suggest that they might. In a study that could potentially shake up how doctors think about MS treatment, researchers have found that high-dose vitamin D significantly reduces disease activity in people with early-stage MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Published in JAMA, the trial showed that patients taking 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) every two weeks over a two-year period had better health outcomes than those given a placebo.

A chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system, MS often begins with a single acute episode of optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) or transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). Later symptoms are wide-ranging and vary between patients but can include muscle weakness, coordination and balance problems, sensations such as numbness, prickling pains or ‘pins and needles’, and memory problems. In some cases, the disease results in sufferers losing the ability to write, speak, or walk.

The term ‘clinically isolated syndrome’ (CIS) refers to a first episode of neurological symptoms caused by inflammation or demyelination (damage to the protective covering of the nerve fibers) in the central nervous system. Not everyone who experiences CIS goes on to develop full-blown MS, but for those who do, slowing disease progression is critical.

Fewer new lesions and less disease activity

Conducted in the form of a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the study enrolled 303 participants from 2013 to 2020 at MS centers in France. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive either high-dose vitamin D or a placebo. Patients already receiving disease-modifying therapies were excluded from the trial. The average participant was 34 years old, and 70 percent of them were women.

The researchers found that disease activity occurred in 60.3 percent of those taking vitamin D, compared to 74.1 percent in the placebo group. Patients given vitamin D went an average of 432 days without disease activity, compared to 224 days for the placebo group. MRI scans revealed fewer new lesions (areas of damage in the brain or spinal cord) and less disease activity in the vitamin D group. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that further investigation is warranted.

Solving the MS puzzle

With MS drugs often carrying significant side effects and high costs, an effective, safe, inexpensive option like vitamin D could potentially be a gamechanger. Promisingly, therefore, the new study comes at a time in which evidence is mounting that a lack of vitamin D increases the risk of developing MS. Research has also shown that people with high levels before the age of 20 have a lower risk of developing the disease later in life. It is therefore becoming clear that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention of MS.

Ultimately, however, towards solving the MS puzzle, vitamin D will only be one part of the story. Other nutrients already similarly known to be important in the disorder include vitamin B12, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), biotin, lipoic acid, L-carnitine, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Pointing as it does towards the use of multi-nutrient therapies, the existence of this knowledge adds further support to Dr. Rath’s Cellular Medicine concept and the nutrient synergy approach developed by scientists at the Dr. Rath Research Institute. The further that awareness of this therapeutic direction spreads, the greater will be the potential for a major shift in how MS and other neurological conditions are managed in our healthcare systems.

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Paul Anthony Taylor

Executive Director of the Dr. Rath Health Foundation and one of the coauthors of our explosive book, “The Nazi Roots of the ‘Brussels EU'”, Paul is also our expert on the Codex Alimentarius Commission and has had eye-witness experience, as an official observer delegate, at its meetings.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Paul's background was in the music industry, where he worked as a keyboard player and programmer with artists including Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bill Withers, the Verve, Texas, and Primal Scream.

He first became interested in natural health after falling ill with a chronic fatigue syndrome-related disorder in 1991 and subsequently making a full recovery through the use of natural health therapies. After meeting Dr. Rath and Dr. Niedzwiecki at an anti-Codex rally in Berlin in 2002, Paul was inspired to make a life-changing decision to leave the music industry to work for the Foundation and help defend the right of patients worldwide to have free access to natural health approaches.

You can find Paul on Twitter at @paulanthtaylor

Der Executive Director der Dr. Rath Health Foundation ist einer der Koautoren des explosiven Buchs „Die Nazi-Wurzeln der Brüsseler EU“. Paul ist auch unser Experte zum Thema „Codex Alimentarius-Kommission“ und hat Augenzeugenerfahrung als offizieller beobachtender Teilnehmer bei diesen Treffen.

Bevor er seine Arbeit bei der Stiftung antrat war Paul in der Musikindustrie aktiv. Er arbeitete als Keyboard-Spieler und Programmierer mit Künstlern wie Paul McCartney, Bryan Ferry, Bill Withers, the Verve, Texas und Primal Scream.

Sein Interesse an natürlicher Gesundheit wuchs, als er 1991 an Störungen erkrankte, die aus einem chronischen Erschöpfungssyndrom resultierten. Durch natürliche Gesundheitstherapien wurde er schließlich vollständig geheilt. Ein Treffen 2002 mit Dr. Rath und Dr. Niedzwiecki bei einer Anti-Codex-Demonstration in Berlin inspirierte ihn zu einer lebensverändernden Entscheidung und er verließ die Musikindustrie um für die Stiftung zu arbeiten und das Recht der Patienten zu verteidigen, weltweit freien Zugang zu natürlichen Gesundheitsverfahren zu haben.

Auf Twitter ist Paul unter @paulanthtaylor zu finden.

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