Epub ahead of print: McDowell et al. Sun Exposure, Vitamin D Intake and Progression to Disability among Veterans with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Neuroepidemiology. 2011 Aug 5;37(1):52-57.
Background: Early life events influence MS susceptibility and potentially modulate its clinical course. This study assessed vitamin D-related exposures from childhood to disease onset and their associations with MS progression.
Methods: Among veterans in the MS Surveillance Registry, 219 reported having the progressive form and met the inclusion criteria. Participants reported their past sun exposure, vitamin D-related intake and age at disability milestones using the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS).
Results: Low average sun exposure in the fall/winter before disease onset was associated with an increased risk of 2.13 of progressing to a PDDS score of 8, whereas use of cod liver oil during childhood and adolescence was associated with a reduced risk of 0.44.
Conclusions: These results suggest that exposure to vitamin D before MS onset might slow MS-related neurodegeneration and thus delay progression to disability among patients with the progressive subtype.
“This study supports other studies that vitamin-D may not only influence MS disease susceptibility but disease course as well. Please remember that cod liver oil is not simply a vitamin D supplement but also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which may be beneficial in MS as well.”
Could we take cod liver oil as a replacement for both Vit D & Omega 3 supplements?
I think cod liver oil contains vitamin A which is not good in high quantities- ok for a spoonful, but probably doesn't contain enough vitamin D3. I think the recommended dose is 400iu's, but a lot of people think MSer's should be on at least 1000iu's per day(that's D3)
I agree with the previous comment. We recommend a daily dose of 5000iu of vD3 per day. Please see previous posts on vitamin D.
Situation: taking 5000 iu Vit D daily for over a year, test showed Vit D level 60+ and total calcium 10+, doctor says calcium is too high and it might be contributing to some symptoms, so pls stop your vit D. Intake of dairy products is already low.
Re: "total calcium 10+"How much above 10+? Up until 10.5 is normal. The normal range of plasma calcium is = 2.2-2.6 mmol/L or 9-10.5 mg/dL.Physiological doses of vitamin D don't cause a raised calcium on their own. A raised calcium usually means that you are taking additional calcium or there is another reason for it. Please don't accept one blood result; labs can make errors.
Thank you