More May Be Better with Vitamin D

A very small clinical study, consisting of 49 participants, demonstrated that high daily doses of vitamin D helped dramatically cut the relapse rate in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The majority of MS patients in this study had a mild form of the disease.

Half the group took 14,000 IU of vitamin D daily for one year; the other half took 1,000 IU daily throughout the year. Of the group that took the higher dose, 16% experienced a relapse of MS symptoms, as compared to 40% of those who took the smaller daily dosage. The group that took the higher dosage experienced 41% fewer relapses as compared to their year prior to participating in the vitamin D trial.

In contrast to many vitamins, no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) has been established for vitamin D. Instead, the Institute of Medicine has set a so-called adequate intake level; the recommendations are 200 IU daily for people under 50, 400 IU daily for people 50 to 70, and 600 IU for those over 70. The study above may offer evidence to increasing daily intake of the sunshine vitamin.

Vitamin D3 is generally the preferred form over D2. Vitamin D products are available in a wide variety of dosages.