Vitamin D for Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's -- new studies

Much good information in this article for MS patients, as well as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cardiac patients and asthma sufferers--and others.  New studies are identifying Vitamin D deficiencies prevalent in these groups.  Read entire article at link below -- I've excerpted just a few paragraphs...

Can This "Hopeless" Disease Be Treated with a Simple Nutrient? 
It's long been considered a hopeless disease with few treatment options, with the typical prescription focusing on highly toxic medications. However, research over the past few years suggests it may be improved by this simple, everyday nutrient.

EXCERPT:  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease of the nerves in your brain and spinal column, caused through a demyelization process. It has long been considered a “hopeless” disease with few treatment options.

The typical prescription for MS focuses on highly toxic medications like prednisone and interferon. However, research over the past few years suggests MS may be improved using a number of natural methods—including vitamin D.

Most recently, a study presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) shows that vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly prevalent both among those diagnosed with MS, and patients suffering other neuromuscular conditions.

Here, vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D3 level of 30ng/ml or less. Of patients diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition, 48 percent were deficient in vitamin D. Only 14 percent were above “normal,” which here constituted a vitamin D level of 40 ng/ml. According to one of the authors:

“While the connection between vitamin D deficiency and neurologic disease is likely complex and not yet fully understood, this study may prompt physicians to consider checking vitamin D levels in their patients with neurologic conditions and supplementing when necessary.”

Besides this one, about a dozen other studies have also noted a strong link between MS and vitamin D deficiency. For example, a number of studies have confirmed that your risk of MS increases the farther away you live from the equator, suggesting lack of sun exposure amplifies your risk.

Optimizing your vitamin D level is of great importance if you have MS, but it’s not the only factor. For additional treatment suggestions, please see previous article discussing natural MS treatment guidelines.