Multiple Sclerosis May Be Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency
· Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating illness in which the immune system attacks nerves leading to paralysis MS affects 2/5 million people worldwide, with an incidence is higher in areas with less sunshine. Recently, researchers have discovered a relationship between vitamin D (the vitamin made with sun exposure) and incidence of Multiple Sclerosis.
· According to an article published in the journal PLoS Genetics; researchers report that women who may not have adequate sun exposure may be giving birth to children with a higher risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis. Authors state that they found a relationship between Vitamin D and a specific gene, known as DRB1*1501. The combination of a vitamin D deficiency and this gene in infants increases the risk of Multiple Sclerosis.
· Vitamin D deficiencies can be associated with low vitamin D levels. Physicians have previously known of a relationship between a higher incidence of Multiple Sclerosis and geographic areas with less sunlight.
One of the study’s authors, Dr. Sreeram Ramagopalan, stated, “the study implies that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years may reduce the risk of child developing MS in later life”.
The study authors concluded that their findings, “suggest a mechanism that links vitamin D exposure to autoimmune disease.”
February 12, 2009
Posted on February 12, 2009
[...] reduce some forms of cancer and heart disease. Deficiencies may be important in the development of Multiple Sclerosis and now researchers are seeing an association with chronic pain. Our society is likely at a higher [...]