New research published in Neurology indicates that maintaining a blood level of vitamin D above 50 nanograms per milliliter reduces MS disease activity. Of course, the publishing neurologists posit that this is due to immune system modulation (of T17 cells)--but we also know that Vitamin D heals the vasculature through its positive affect on endothelial cells. The endothelium is where the immune and vascular systems meet--and having higher serum levels of Vitamin D maintains endothelial health. Happy New Year! Get your Vitamin D levels checked and supplement as needed. Joan

Taking a high dose of vitamin D3 is safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may correct the body's hyperactive immune response, according to a study published in the Dec. 30, 2015, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.