Family health: Can you help prevent MS?

Lifestyle habits that may help reduce MS risk

While no lifestyle change can guarantee that MS will be prevented, research suggests that certain habits may help reduce risk and support overall health.

These are the same healthy lifestyle approaches recommended in the Overcoming MS Program:

• Avoid smoking, which is a known risk factor for MS
• Take vitamin D supplements when sunlight exposure is limited
• Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat, rich in whole plant foods
• Include sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed or oily fish
• Support emotional wellbeing and manage stress, for example through meditation or mindfulness

These habits are beneficial for everyone in the family, not just people with MS. They are also known to reduce the risk of many other chronic conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Research exploring partners of people with MS who undertake lifestyle modification has found positive effects on partners’ wellbeing, including increased hope, empowerment and stronger relationship connection [3].

Vitamin D for family members

Vitamin D plays an important role in MS, and research continues to highlight its impact on disease progression and overall health. 

Adult relatives – We recommend that close adult relatives of people with MS take 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day in winter (and in summer when sun exposure is limited).

During pregnancy – In the UK the NHS recommend all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (mcg) / 400 units (IU). If you or your child are at a higher risk of MS and considering taking a higher dose, a randomised controlled trial found that vitamin D3 supplementation of up to 4,000 IU per day during pregnancy was safe. In the study, supplementation began between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy [6].

Children at higher risk – Vitamin D supplementation in children may reduce the future risk of developing MS. While definitive prevention trials are not feasible, higher vitamin D exposure in the womb, and during childhood and adolescence, has consistently been associated with a lower risk of developing MS later in life.  

For children at a higher risk of MS (such as the children of people with MS), we therefore recommend daily vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU daily for infants under 12 months of age and 1,000 IU daily for children and adolescents aged 1–18 years. 

These recommendations are based on the current best available evidence [7-10]. These recommended doses are below the established safe upper limits, though higher than routine supplementation recommended for the general population, reflecting their use for MS risk reduction rather than routine bone health alone. Families should be advised that vitamin D supplementation is a risk-reduction strategy, not a guarantee of prevention, and should be used alongside routine paediatric care.