Changes to the immune system after vitamin D supplementation in healthy individuals and people with multiple sclerosis

Vitamin D is a vitamin with roles in calcium-phosphate metabolism and in bone health. It has also been found to regulate cell functions, including those of the immune system. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common disabling neurological conditions among young adults. Low Vitamin D levels are associated with elevated risk of developing MS. It is not currently well understood how Vitamin D affects immune cells in people.

Our study aims to elucidate the effect that Vitamin D supplementation has on immune cells, firstly in healthy participants, following which we will aim to explore this in people with MS. Participants will take Vitamin D supplementation for 4 weeks, and blood will be collected before and after supplementation. The results from this study may help to shed light on whether the response to Vitamin D is different in people with MS compared to people without MS, and also help determine the mechanisms by which Vitamin D is involved in the development of MS.