Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Multiple Sclerosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin B12 has been investigated in the context of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) due to its crucial role in myelin synthesis and neurological function. MS is characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system, and B12 deficiency can also cause demyelinating symptoms. Several studies have found that a subset of MS patients may have lower B12 levels compared to healthy controls, and B12 deficiency can mimic or exacerbate neurological symptoms similar to MS. However, while correcting a vitamin B12 deficiency is important for general neurologic health, there is limited evidence that B12 supplementation provides significant benefit in MS patients who do not have a deficiency. Most clinical guidelines recommend checking and correcting B12 levels in MS patients, but do not support routine high-dose supplementation for all MS patients.

A few small studies and case reports have suggested subjective improvements in fatigue or neurological symptoms with B12 therapy, but larger and better-designed trials have not shown clear disease-modifying effects. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale for ensuring adequate B12 in MS patients, the evidence for using B12 as a treatment to alter the course of MS itself is weak (evidence rating: 2/5). B12 should be supplemented in cases of deficiency, but there is no robust support for its use in otherwise replete MS patients.

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