Multivitamins are frequently taken by people with MS. Multivitamin preparations contain variable types and amounts of vitamins and minerals.
No rigorous clinical studies have examined the benefits or safety of multivitamin use in MS. Studies in elderly people indicate that multivitamin preparations may stimulate the immune system. This type of stimulation may theoretically be harmful for MS. However, the significance of this immune system effect for a disease process such as MS is not clear at this time.
Multivitamin preparation is important for people with MS who have an inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals. For people with MS with an adequate diet, the benefits of multivitamin preparations are not known. If multivitamins are taken, it is important to review the amount of each vitamin and mineral in a preparation. Obviously, toxic doses should be avoided (Table 2). Commercially available multivitamins do not generally contain toxic doses of any compounds, but some high-potency “designer” multivitamins may contain high doses of particular vitamins or minerals. For people with MS, it may be logical, although of no proven benefit, to use low doses of potentially immune-stimulating vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc. Low daily doses of these vitamins and minerals are:
- Vitamin A, 5,000 IU or less
- Vitamin C, 90 to 120 milligrams or less
- Vitamin E, 100 IU or less
- Selenium, 20 to 50 micrograms or less
- Zinc, 10 to 15 milligrams or less