Sunlight contains Vitamin D. People genetically prone to low vitamin-D levels are at increased risk of multiple sclerosis, according to an extensive study based on the DNA profiles of tens of thousands of people of European descent. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and is naturally present in sunlight, oily fish, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified fat spreads. Research around the world already shows MS is more prevalent in less sunny countries.
Investigators at McGill University in Canada compared the prevalence of MS in a large group of Europeans with and without a genetic predisposition to low vitamin D.
The findings, published in the journal PLoS Medicine, indicated people due to their genetic predisposition, were significantly more likely to have MS than individuals without these genes.
Taking too much of vitamin D can lead to side-effects. The Government is seriously considering whether to conduct an awareness campaign to educate the general public on the pros and cons of Vitamin D.
