Can supplements help, or be used instead of fruit and vegetables?

Vitamins and minerals have a number of vital functions in the body. Certain drug treatments can lower levels of vitamins and minerals in the body and a doctor or dietitian may suggest supplements to replenish these. But a balanced diet usually provides a sufficient supply for most people and there is no evidence that high doses benefit people with MS. Excess vitamins and minerals can be harmful.

Some studies have suggested that eating fruit and vegetables has greater health benefits than taking vitamin and mineral supplements. This is because supplements do not contain many of the nutrients known as 'phytochemicals', which are found in fruit and vegetables. These nutrients have only recently been looked into, but it appears they may have health benefits. On top of this, fruit and vegetables are healthy sources of fibre and carbohydrates. 

Can antioxidants relieve the symptoms of MS?

Oxidants, or free radicals, are chemicals that react easily with other substances in the body, changing or damaging their structure. For example, essential fatty acids are vulnerable to attack from oxidants. Certain vitamins can limit the damage oxidants cause and protect the essential fatty acids. These vitamins are known as antioxidants.

Some research has suggested that oxidant activity in the central nervous system may be linked to the damage that occurs in MS. However, there have been few studies into the use of antioxidants for people with MS and the significance of oxidants is still unclear.

Antioxidant therapy might also carry a risk for people with MS, as some antioxidants have a stimulating effect on the immune system, which in theory could worsen the effects of MS. Further research is needed to determine the safety and potential benefits of antioxidant therapy for MS. 

Can vitamin B12 be related to MS and MS treatments?

The exact relationship between MS, MS treatments and vitamin B12 is complex and not yet fully understood. Vitamin B12 is needed for the body to make myelin – the protective layer around nerve fibres that gets damaged in MS. Because of the importance of vitamin B12 in the nervous system, and because a deficiency can lead to symptoms similar to those found in MS, some people have suggested it can help treat or prevent MS. However, research does not support these theories.

Most people with MS have normal vitamin B12 levels but deficiencies can arise. Your doctor can check if this is a problem and provide appropriate treatment if necessary. 

Can vitamin D levels be related to MS?

We get vitamin D through our diet and by exposure to sunlight.

Some people have suggested that low levels of exposure to the sun could increase the chances of developing MS. This is because MS is more common in areas further from the equator – areas where there is less intense sunshine and people may therefore get less vitamin D. However, there may be other explanations for these geographical differences. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between exposure to sunlight and MS.

Research with dietary supplements of vitamin D has also been inconclusive, partly because it is difficult to rule out the effects of other vitamins in the diet and vitamin D through sunlight. Currently, research evidence does not support vitamin D as a therapy for MS.

However, because vitamin D can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, sufficient intake is important. This is particularly true for those who are less mobile or have taken long courses of steroids.