The vitamin D and MS link

It may be time to book that holiday in the sun after scientists discovered that Vitamin D could actually help reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It has long been believed that vitamin D played a significant role in developing MS but a study carried out by Australian researchers has revealed surprising results. They found that upping your levels of Vitamin D could lower your chance of a relapse of the disease, and for each ten nanomole (a standard measure of concentration of vitamin D in the blood) increase of Vitamin D, you could reduce your risk of an attack by ten per cent. Doubling your intake could reduce the risk by 50 per cent. For years, it has been believed the further you live from the equator, the more likely you are to develop MS due to less exposure to sunlight – the main source of Vitamin D. Another study showed babies born in November are at much lower risk than babies born in May because of their development during the summer months. If you’re concerned you’re not getting enough vitamin D from sunshine (especially during these dark wintry days), you could try taking a vitamin D supplement.
Words: Maria Tonelli