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No U.S. health agency recommends folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the NIH, says there’s no evidence that any dietary supplement is effective for MS.
You may have seen news about small studies of B vitamins in people with MS. So far, U.S. health agencies haven’t found enough evidence to recommend them.Talk with your doctor before trying supplements
MS has no cure, but there are treatments that can reduce relapses and slow the disease, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). NINDS advises people with MS to tell their doctor about every therapy they use, especially supplements, because some can interact with MS medicines or cause harm on their own. That goes for B vitamins, too. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements explains that large amounts of folic acid can hide the anemia caused by low vitamin B12 while the B12 problem continues. Your doctor can check your levels before you take either one.Folate still matters
Everyone needs folate, with or without MS. Adults need 400 mcg DFE a day, and most people in the U.S. get enough from food, according to the NIH. Leafy greens, beans, and enriched grains are good sources. See Foods High in Folate. MS often starts between ages 20 and 40, and it’s more common in women, according to NINDS. If you could become pregnant, the CDC recommends 400 mcg of folic acid a day to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine. Ask your neurologist how your MS treatment fits with any plans for pregnancy.Where to learn more
- Multiple Sclerosis, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis and complementary health approaches, NCCIH
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society for support and local resources
