Researchers from Warsaw have analysed the literature on vitamin D levels and how they influence the effectiveness of a variety of medications for diseases such as MS, atopic dermatitis, infectious disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis and epilepsy.

They note that vitamin D deficiency in Poland is at epidemic proportions with 83% of babies born in Poland being vitamin D deficient due to their mothers' vitamin D deficiency. This is another reason to take vitamin D!

They analyse the results of studies showing that having such low levels of vitamin D actually makes medications much less effective.

For instance, they show that for every 10nmol/L rise in vitamin D for people with MS taking first line immunomodulatory therapies there is a reduction in relapse rate of 13.7%. Similar patterns are observed in the other diseases treated with standard medications.

This paper reinforces the OMS message that drug-only treatment of MS is poor medicine; the other risk factors for disease progression, such as vitamin D level, need to be attended to if people with MS are to have the best chance of recovery.

To read the full study, click here.

Effect of vitamin D status on pharmacological treatment efficiency