 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Questions or Comments regarding
your purchase?
info@myhealthpharmacy.com
(718)
529-0548
Babies with Low Vit D at Increased MS Risk
Babies with Low Vit D at Increased MS Risk
BRIAN DONNELLY Newsquest Media Group
Posted April 3, 2009
VITAMIN D deficiency in babies before and after birth may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis in some individuals, a study has shown.
Scientists have found evidence that MS susceptibility is influenced by vitamin D levels coupled with a common genetic variant.
Children with the gene mutation may be more at risk of developing the disease if they lack vitamin D while growing in the womb or during their early years of life.
The researchers suggest that, as a precaution, mothers should take vitamin D supplements during pregnancy or give them to their young children.
MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. More than 85,000 people in the UK and 2.5 million worldwide are thought to suffer from the condition, which results from the loss of nerve fibres and their protective myelin sheath "insulation".
Although the causes of MS are unclear, experts believe environmental and genetic factors play their parts.
Previous studies have shown that people from northern Europe are more at risk of MS if they live in areas with little sunshine.
This could be explained by the link with vitamin D, which is produced in the skin as a result of exposure to sunlight.
The largest genetic influence on MS is known to arise from a gene variant called DRB1*1501 Researchers at Oxford University and the University of British Columbia in Canada have established a direct relationship between DRB1*1501 and vitamin D. They found that proteins activated by vitamin D effectively turn the gene on.
The researchers believe that in people with the genetic variant, a lack of vitamin D in early life may remove natural safeguards.
Study leader Professor George Ebers, of Oxford University, said: "We have known for a long time that genes and environment determine MS risk. Here we show that the main environmental risk candidate - vitamin D - and the main gene region are directly linked and interact."
Date: April 1, 2009
© 2009 The Herald. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
 |
|
| My Health Pharmacy |
| South Ozone Park, NY 11420 |
|
More Info
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back
