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Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten
Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten
by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM
The Better Brain Book


by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis

Nine years ago I was invited to present a series of lectures to physicians in Sydney, Australia. On the evening before the conference I had a discussion with a local physician about multiple sclerosis and the topic of the geographic distribution of the disease came up. Weve known for more than half a century that those individuals who lived their early years in northern latitudes had a significantly increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis compared to those who lived in more southern regions. Interestingly, the Australian doctor revealed that there was a similar geographic phenomenon noted in his continent. Those Australians who spent their early years far south of the equator were also at increased risk for the disease. At that point I began to wonder if sun exposure could relate to M.S. risk, possibly because of the decreased vitamin D production in individuals living far from the equator. I quickly fashioned a Powerpoint slide that evening and added it to my presentation the next day, mostly to serve as a point of discussion about this topic. It certainly seemed plausible, especially when you recognize that vitamin D serves as an antioxidant.

So it brought a smile to my face when recently reading JAMA when I noted an article entitled, Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Multiple Sclerosisin which Harvard researchers found a dramatically lowered risk of MS. in individuals with the highest vitamin D levels. Their report not only describes this relationship, but also points out that administration of vitamin D prevents the development of MS. in experimental animal models. And in addition to having antioxidant activity, the report points out that vitamin D is a potent modulator of the immune system which has implications for other immune related diseases. As the authors state, Vitamin D supplementation in infancy seems to exert a strong protective effect against the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes and vitamin D levels in early childhood could also have an impact on the risk of MS.

We now must look upon vitamin D as having a far greater role in maintaining health than simply keeping our bones strong. And the need for D starts in infancy as I describe in my book, Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten.

Comments

  1. William Grant
    July 13th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

    MS is the tip of the iceberg on the power of vitamin D. I have a bibliography of 500 papers on vitamin D and cancer risk that I would be happy to send you.

    I came into contact with D. Harman in 1997 with my pioneering work on diet and risk of Alzheimer’s disease. I’m still working on the topic.

  2. barbara
    July 14th, 2007 at 3:49 am

    After reading various articles on vitamin d council and articles posted at my compunding pharmacy thecompounder.com i upped my vitamin d to 4000mg pd I find it helpful for inflammation tightness/spasticity (not that anyone had mentioned that) Do you suggest in your ms protocol ? Do you use it iv ever? Have you had any experience or opinions on ldn usage Thanks

  3. Dr. Perlmutter
    July 14th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

    Yes indeed, vitamin D is part of our MS protocol, and has been for years. I have used LDN (low dose naltrexone) but am not totally convinced of its efficacy.

  4. susie
    July 15th, 2007 at 5:57 pm

    How much vit D do you normally suggest to your MS pts who get very little sun? Thanks!

  5. Dr. Perlmutter
    July 16th, 2007 at 5:16 am

    We use at least 1200 units in our patients.

  6. Edward Hutchinson
    August 7th, 2007 at 12:48 pm

    Although Barbara said she takes 4000mg pd she means 4000iu/d
    1000iu= 25mcg
    so 1mg= 1000mcg=40,000iu (prolonged use at this level causes hypercalcemia and other adverse events)
    So 4000mg would be toxic.

  7. Myron MacDonald
    April 27th, 2008 at 10:49 am

    I have been measuring 25(OH) Vitamin D levels in my patients for the last four years. This is in Vancouver, B.C. Almost all were low. I have told all to supplement with at least 2000IU/day and have noticed that PSA levels in older men are dropping.

  8. Alan Guzik
    July 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am

    Norm Shealy has been recommending 50,000iu vitamin D for autoimmune disorders. It’s very high. I would dismiss it except Dr Shealy is a highly respected open minded alternative therapist. One concern is upsetting calcium metabolism with ensuing osteoporosis. Do you have any thoughts on his suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Alan

  9. Jeanne daLuz
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:52 am

    We are looking at LDN for my mom, who has Parkinsons. Any further studies done that would convince you that it helps?

    Thanks,
    Jeanne

  10. Dr. Perlmutter
    August 16th, 2009 at 4:19 am

    While requested by many of my patients with PD, I am not a huge proponent of LDN

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