Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Parkinson's Disease

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating Parkinson’s Disease (PD), primarily due to its involvement in brain health, neuroprotection, and immune modulation. Several observational studies have found that individuals with PD often have lower serum vitamin D levels compared to healthy controls. Additionally, vitamin D receptors are present in the brain regions affected by PD, such as the substantia nigra. Animal studies suggest that vitamin D may help protect dopaminergic neurons from degeneration, a hallmark of PD.

However, the evidence supporting vitamin D supplementation as a treatment or disease-modifying therapy for PD is limited and inconsistent. Some small clinical trials and observational studies have reported improved motor symptoms or slowed disease progression with vitamin D supplementation, especially in patients who are initially deficient. For example, a 2013 randomized controlled trial found that vitamin D supplementation helped maintain balance in PD patients over 12 months. On the other hand, larger and more rigorous studies have not consistently replicated these findings, and meta-analyses conclude that the evidence is insufficient to recommend vitamin D as a specific treatment for PD beyond general health or bone protection.

In summary, while there is a scientific rationale and some low to moderate quality evidence for the supportive use of vitamin D in PD, it is not considered a validated treatment. Supplementation may be reasonable for PD patients with documented deficiency, but its use specifically for PD symptoms should be considered experimental.

More about vitamin D
More about Parkinson's Disease

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis