12.3. VD and multiple sclerosis
As with previous epidemiological data reporting a latitudinal
risk gradient for cancer and cardiovascular disease110,132–137 a
similar risk gradient exists for developing multiple sclerosis.138–141
One double-blinded RCT involving patients with
multiples clerosis who were randomized to receive either VD
supplementation or placebo showed that patients who
received supplementation had increased serum transforming
growth factor b1 levels vs those who did not receive
supplementation.142 Elevated transforming growth factor b1
levels have been associated with the stable phase of multiple
sclerosis, whereas reduced levels have been associated with
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.143,144