Vitamin A and Multiple Scolorosis - 1385 Words

Vitamin A and Multiple Sclerosis There is countless research that widely associates vitamin D and vitamin A in possibly decreasing adverse effects of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although, vitamin A is not as popular in research as vitamin D it has shown in certain trials to be beneficial to patients suffering from MS, but more commonly there is a positive link to vitamin A in animal trials of treating experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) the animal version of MS, . Vitamin A is a fat- soluble vitamin that can function in immunological responses as well as brain development. This vitamin is crucial for vision, gene transcription, and bone metabolism (7). Vitamin A may help in MS by lowering inflammation as well as increasing the†¦show more content†¦The results of the double blind randomized trial showed that there was no significant difference in those taking vitamin A from the placebo group, since values in lipid profiles and fasting profiles did not provide any justifiable evidence in vitamin A being b eneficial in MS. However, one surprising result came from the CRP values, or the inflammation marker, by showing an increase in the vitamin A group in comparison to the placebo group. Although, the increase was still in the normal range it was still an unexpected outcome from the study. Even though vitamin A’s effect on Th1 and Th2 cells had the possibility of improving effects of MS, the trial concluded that there was no clinical evidence to vitamin A’s role in minimizing the harmful effects of MS (2). A prospective study was conducted by the Nurses’ Health Study, which tested vitamin A intake in the risk of women. The results proved no support for dietary carotenoids such as alpha-carotene or beta-carotene in lowering the risk of MS in women (7). Even though this was one of the few large-scale studies-- comprising of 81, 683 women inspected throughout 12 years (7) -- the scientific data proved no association to a beneficial role of vitamin A intake to MS risk in women. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is the only protein expressed in the CNS, so its response to T-cells may be a factor in the etiology of MS (3). A double blind study was