Taking it every two weeks “significantly” reduces the activity of the disease, according to French researchers.
Thousands of patients soon relieved? The conclusions of a study published in renown Jama on March 10 once again highlight the benefits of vitamin D. This vitamin that is so precious for the proper functioning of the immune and bone system. It also promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and participates in the good mineralization of teeth and muscle strengthening. It could also, according to the observations of French scientists, be beneficial to reduce the activity of an incurable autoimmune disease.
In this randomized clinical trial, the authors recruited 303 patients treated with oral vitamin in high doses or placebo for 24 months. The objective was to see if taking vitamin D influenced the activity of the disease. By “activity”, the researchers heard the occurrence of a relapse and/or an MRI activity (new lesions and/or lesions with contrast). At the end of their analysis, they noted an “activity” in 94 patients in the vitamin D group (60%) and in 109 patients in the placebo group (74%). “This is a statistically significant difference” According to these experts.
The volunteers who participated in the study were suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord. “Vitamin D deficiency is a risk of multiple sclerosis risk factor and is associated with the risk of disease activity, but data on supplementation benefits are contradictory” explain the researchers. This is what motivated them to carry out their study. At the end of it, they believe that “Cholecalciferol (another name for vitamin D, editor’s note) in high dose has reduced the activity of the disease in clinically isolated syndrome and sclerosis in recurrent-reproductive, early plaques”.
According to them, these results justify more in -depth research, in particular on the potential role of vitamin D in high doses as an extra treatment. Please note: taking vitamin D must meet a medical indication. In the general population, the recommended dose is a bulb every two months, generally one at the entrance to winter and another at the beginning of spring. “”Vitamin D overdose can cause weakening of bones “reminded us of Dr. Yves Fouré, a general practitioner, during an article dedicated to vitamin D. In addition, an excess of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia or a high rate of calcium in the blood which can have cardiological and renal consequences.
