Canadian Recommendations for Vitamin D Intake for Persons Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Publication date: Available online 22 January 2020Source: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyAuthor(s): Stephanie A. Atkinson, James C. FleetAbstractIn 2016, the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada convened a panel of expert scientists, clinicians and patient advocate to review the evidence for an association between vitamin D status and MS prevention and/or disease modification. The goal was to develop clear and accurate recommendations on optimal vitamin D intake and status for people affected by MS for use in clinical practice and public health policy. The final consensus report was based on a review and grading of existing published papers combined with expert opinions of panel members. The report led to recommendations published in November of 2018 on the website of the MS Society of Canada, one in a format for use by health professionals and another in a question and answer format that was targeted to persons affected by MS and the general public. For people at risk of developing MS, the vitamin D recommendations are similar to those for the general public following the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Canada and the United States. Adults should achieve and maintain a normal vitamin D status with monitoring by physicians (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) = 50-125 nmol/L, requiring 600-4000 IU vitamin D/d intake). For pregnant women, newborn infants, and all youth at risk of MS, vitamin D intakes should also follow DRI recommendati...
Source: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research