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A large dose of vitamin D given daily can provide some relief to people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to UPI, a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University showed that giving a large dose of 10,400 international units of vitamin D a day over six months can lower inflammation that MS causes.

"These results are exciting, as vitamin D has the potential to be an inexpensive, safe and convenient treatment for people with MS. More research is needed to confirm these findings with larger groups of people and to help us understand the mechanisms for these effects, but the results are promising," study author Peter Calabresi, said.

MS is a condition resulting from immune system attack on protective covering of nerves.

For the study, researchers gave 40 people either a low dose or high dose of vitamin D a day over six months to determine the effect. Deficiency of vitamin D can up the risk of MS and vitamin D supplements are seen as having preventive effect on MS onset.

When researchers examined the immune response of the participants they found lowered levels of one type of T cell that is associated with inflammation due to the immune system attack, according to US News and World Report.

"We hope that these changes in inflammatory T cell responses translate to a reduced severity of disease," says Calabresi. "Other clinical trials are underway to determine if that is the case."

The study has been published in the journal Neurology.