Vitamin D supplementation alone may not replace the ability of sunlight to reduce MS susceptibility.

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:07:32 +0000

Although the exact cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown, a number of genetic and environmental factors are thought to influence MS susceptibility. Fortunately there is an animal model of MS called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or EAE which allows us to investigate possible treatment for MS. and so it was with this model that the following information was gleaned.
One potential environmental factor in MS is sunlight and the subsequent production of vitamin D. Indeed, a number of studies have correlated decreased exposure to UV radiation (UVR) and low blood levels of vitamin D(3) with an increased risk for developing MS. Furthermore, both UVR and the active form of vitamin D suppress the disease in EAE. This observation led to the hypothesis that UVR likely suppresses disease through the increased production of vitamin D.
However, UVR can suppress the immune system independent of vitamin D. Therefore, it is unclear whether UVR, vitamin D, or both are necessary for the decrease in MS susceptibility. So the experiment first looked at continuous treatment with UVR and found that it dramatically suppressed clinical signs of EAE. Interestingly this continuous treatment caused only a modest increase in blood levels of vitamin D. This demonstrated that the levels of D3 obtained upon UVR treatment were insufficient to suppress EAE independent of UVR treatment

These results suggest that UVR is likely suppressing the disease independent of vitamin D production, and that vitamin D supplementation alone may not replace the ability of sunlight to reduce MS susceptibility.

This of course reinforces the fact that there is a much higher incidence and prevalence of MS as you move away from the equator

Tags:ms treatment,multiple sclerosis treatment,sunlight

Scottish study suggests people born in April most at risk of MS

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:35:28 +0000

The results of the study, reported in the Sunday Times Scotland, suggest that mothers pregnant during the dark autumn and winter months were most likely to give birth to those who would develop the condition.

The Glasgow researchers suggest that a mother’s lack of exposure to sunlight during her unborn baby’s development may explain the results, published in the European Journal of Neurology.

Vitamin D is produced through exposure to sunlight and has been linked to genes thought to be associated with MS. Scientists have suggested that a lack of vitamin D could trigger a predisposition to MS in a person’s genetic makeup.

Director for MS Society Scotland, David McNiven, said: “These intriguing results add weight to the evidence that the environment, and in particular sunlight, plays a part in MS and we’re pleased scientists are piecing together the complex puzzle of what may cause this debilitating condition.”

You may racall from an earlier article that research published in the journal PLoS Genetics suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and the early years may increase the risk of the offspring developing MS later in life. See also the article about megadoses of vitamin D lowering the risk of relapse.

If you live ina temperate climate (as of course they do in Scotland) then it is always worth investing in an artificuial sunlight lamp to give you and possibley your child the best chance for a better life. You can find these in lot of places or go here to chevk out the sunlight page

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A Voice For MS » Vitamin D

Vitamin D supplementation alone may not replace the ability of sunlight to reduce MS susceptibility.

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Scottish study suggests people born in April most at risk of MS

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