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What Vitamin B12 Supplements Can Be Taken By A Multiple Sclerosis Patient?
Question: are any b vitamins contraindicated or limited for people with M.S.? which ones?
are herbal immune boosters OK for people with M.S.?
are herbal immune boosters OK for people with M.S.?
Brief Answer:
Vit B12 is indicated. Immune booster are not
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
First, there are some studies which report that there is some deficiency in Vit B12 levels in patients with MS. In case there is such eventuality low levels of this vitamin can worsen your symptoms. There are a few studies as well that report benefits on taking Vit B12 orally can improve symptoms, yet this is not a randomized one, so not fully reliable. But in general the neurologic community encourages patient with MS to take Vit B12 supplements.
Regarding immune boosters, there is no serious study reporting which type of immune system is involved. The boosters can strengthen lymphocytes which there is no need of or benefit. In MS patients, where there is an overactive immune system, or at least a malfunctioning immunity which damages the myelin, such boosters can strengthen that specific malfunctioning lymphocytes, which can worsen the symptoms. Basically, I would not expect any benefit but would fear some worsening.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free for further questions.
Wishing you good health.
Vit B12 is indicated. Immune booster are not
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
First, there are some studies which report that there is some deficiency in Vit B12 levels in patients with MS. In case there is such eventuality low levels of this vitamin can worsen your symptoms. There are a few studies as well that report benefits on taking Vit B12 orally can improve symptoms, yet this is not a randomized one, so not fully reliable. But in general the neurologic community encourages patient with MS to take Vit B12 supplements.
Regarding immune boosters, there is no serious study reporting which type of immune system is involved. The boosters can strengthen lymphocytes which there is no need of or benefit. In MS patients, where there is an overactive immune system, or at least a malfunctioning immunity which damages the myelin, such boosters can strengthen that specific malfunctioning lymphocytes, which can worsen the symptoms. Basically, I would not expect any benefit but would fear some worsening.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free for further questions.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
It seems like I heard somewhere that too much of a certain b vitamin can damage nerves. Is there any other B vitamin that I might need to be careful of?
Brief Answer:
Vit B6 can cause nerve damage
Detailed Answer:
Hello. There is some evidence that Vit B6 can cause damages to the nerves. While the Vit B12 is the most important, as i said before, other vitamin B are also of some importance. Vit B6 deficiency is also related to some nerve damage, while Vit B1 is thought to help the nerve repair.
But, in relation to MS only B12 deficiency has been studied and some reports show that oral or injection of B12 has some benefits in cases there is deficiency. There is no evidence about Vit B1 and B6 in MS.
While treatment with Vit B12 and Vit B1 has no nerve damages, there is some evidence that Treatment with Vit B6 can cause nerve damage as its adverse effect. Thats why I dont recommend treatment with Vit B complex, but just with Vit B12.
Hope this answers your question, I wish you good health
Vit B6 can cause nerve damage
Detailed Answer:
Hello. There is some evidence that Vit B6 can cause damages to the nerves. While the Vit B12 is the most important, as i said before, other vitamin B are also of some importance. Vit B6 deficiency is also related to some nerve damage, while Vit B1 is thought to help the nerve repair.
But, in relation to MS only B12 deficiency has been studied and some reports show that oral or injection of B12 has some benefits in cases there is deficiency. There is no evidence about Vit B1 and B6 in MS.
While treatment with Vit B12 and Vit B1 has no nerve damages, there is some evidence that Treatment with Vit B6 can cause nerve damage as its adverse effect. Thats why I dont recommend treatment with Vit B complex, but just with Vit B12.
Hope this answers your question, I wish you good health
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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