Vitamin D helps control genes that trigger MS: study

In a new study, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, researchers say they've found a direct link between vitamin D and a gene variant, known as DRB1*1501, that is susceptible to MS.

Prof. George Ebers, with the University of Oxford, said researchers have known for a long time that genes and environment determine MS risk.

"This is the first evidence that the environment, in the form of vitamin D, is directly related to the gene region that gives you the major risk for MS," Ebers told CTV News.

The study, funded in part by the MS Society of Canada, found that proteins activated by vitamin D in the body bind to a particular DNA sequence lying next to the DRB1*1501 variant, in effect switching the gene on.

If there isn't enough vitamin D available in the body, the DRB1*1501 gene may not function properly.

In the U.K., one in 1,000 people are likely to develop MS but the chance increases to one in 300 among those carrying a single copy of the DRB1*1501 gene variant.

The chance increases to one in 100 among those carrying two copies.

Around the world, 2.5 million people suffer from MS, which results from the loss of nerve fibres and their protective myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord, causing neurological damage.

Previous studies have shown that people who live in areas receiving less sunshine have an increased risk of developing MS as sunlight produces vitamin D in the body.

The lead author of the recent study, Dr. Sreeram Ramagopalan, said Thursday that the new research "implies that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years may reduce the risk of a child developing MS in later life,"

Ebers said he'd like to see all women taking vitamin D while pregnant.

"The evidence is strong that vitamin D is very important in early development of the fetus," he said.

Levi Barron developed MS around the age of 12. Now 16, Levi has responded to treatment and is "pretty much ok," says his mother, Karen.

She said they now both regularly take vitamin D.

"It's quite a little vitamin that's turning out to really knock everybody's socks off with where the research is going with it," Levi's mother, Karen, told CTV News.

Karen Barron said taking vitamin D was something she didn't think of during her pregnancy.

"I would strongly encourage any pregnant women to talk to their family doctor and find out what dosage of vitamin D they should be taking," she said.

Comments are now closed for this story

Roz
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Take a quality Vitamin D ! The one pictured - Shoppers Vit. D, I used to lots of - but then my doc told me I had an insufficient amount. I got Vitamin D drops from Ambrosia natural Foods, and voila - no problem.I actually get a pleasant sensation in my head when I tske it.

Cornwall Bob
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Fat soluble means that the vitamin is absorbed into the body from the intestinal tract and can therefore accumulate in the body whereas water soluble vitamins are absorbed by water and easily excreted from the body in urine so do not accumulate.

Patriocia in Kingston
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So Steve in Ottawa what does fat soluble mean?

WG in TO
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A family history of skin cancer, a fair-skinned cousin who passed way too early with skin cancer, and myself also fair-skinned living with MS for 20 years now. And all those sunburns! Wow, if we'd only known then what's known now. Thank you docs for all your research. I'm sure it will enhance future generations' lives. Now, don't forget to take your Vitamin D!

Steve in Ottawa
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Dear Patricia:

Yegads!

Fat soluble does NOT mean that if taken with water Vitamin D will nave no effect.

Sorry, but neither is there an Easter bunny.

Jude from Vancouver
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It would be good to see information provided that explains that vitamin D is not really a vitamin but a substance the body uses as a hormone. And as a hormone, it's involved in a myriad of different cellular & tissue functions. Too many still think of it as something that only prevents rickets & don't realise that it's needed throughout one's life.

I'd like to see a clear concise article that gives a brief explanation for the ordinary person on how vitamin D works in the body so they'd realise how important it is - not just news tidbits here & there.

I've known of its importance for many years & have taken higher than recommended doses (that are now recommended!) for over 25 years. I think I can rightly attribute my excellent health partly to this - no menopause symptoms ever, no PMS earlier, very strong bones, never get infections, & a number of other benefits.

Dale - Edmonton
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I guess this is just one more reason to take your multi-vitamin every day. I've been told by folks that all this does is make expensive urine as you excrete the vitamins but nice to know there is some beneficial effect as well.

LT - Manitoba girl
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My mom has MS and we heard there may be a connection between Vitamin D and MS a while back so I have been taking it for about a year now. However, when I asked my doctor if I could have my vitamin D levels checked he completely dismissed my request as unnecessary! I wish more doctors would take this seriously because I'd like to prevent my getting MS if I can.

Peter
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I was diagnosed with MS in late 2007. Did my research, and found out that and Vitmin D among other supplements and natural treatments are extremely effective in helping people with this disease. Funny how your neurologist won't recomend any of these alternative methods to thier patients!!! Not enough money in it for them i guess.

Patricia in Kingston
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I have been told that vitaminD is fat soluble -- so if you take it just with water or a non fat meal it will not have any effect.

Sharon
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For all of those saying 'just go out in the sun' some people do have babies in the winter when there really isn't much sun to be had. And when you so go out you are bundled up. I have been seeing more and more info linking vitamin d and MS...I've also seen links between the babies born in winter months and MS. I say take the vitamin D!

Be Responsible
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The reality is that during the winter, the sun is so low in the horizon in Canada, that very little to no Vitamin D is produced by being in the sun.

Peter Bowen
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I'm an x submariner and with the lack of sunlight while being submerged makes me wonder if rhere is a connection to the MS I have now...

Pete ,Calgary
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This is good news for people with MS. Spending time in the sun WILL NOT GET YOU SKIN CANCER. That is a myth.Baking yourself in the sun or tanning salon WILL.
Wake up people, its long known that 5 min of sun on you face per day will give you enough vit. D

Amanda Reilly
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I have been taken 2000 UI of vit D for a year now and seem quite stable.

I have had Replasing remitting MS for 11 years now and wish I knew this sooner.

jon in ottawa
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why don't they ever say to go in the sun rather than take vitamin D. Especially if it will help with MS. When the sun hits the skin your body makes Vitamin D its natural and the body is designed to do it. isn't it funny how they tell us to stay out of the sun for years and now they find alot of us are Vitamin D deficient. They say the sun is bad for us but it could help Prevent MS, breast cancer, prostate canser,exzema, psoriasis etc. Just think we all work inside now and skin caner is on the rise makes on think its not all these anti wrinkle creams, Spfs and home cleaning products they convince us to use.If it was the sun don't you think we would all be one big ball of cancer after years of living in caves.

Michelle
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Well that certainly helps to expalin why caucasian people in Northern latitudes farthest from the equator are more likely to get MS. The sun protects against MS but increases your chances of developing skin cancer so we need to take vitamins instead of just spending more time in the glorious sun. Yet another shining example to cast doubt on the notion of "intelligent design."

Tono
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This is so cool how they're finding out how all these Vitamins can prevent certain things. More specific things I mean.

Keep up the good work!

Steve in Montreal
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I'm just getting over my latest event so it's nice to see some good news. It comes 45 years (plus 9 months)too late for me, but if it helps prevents future people developing MS that's great!!

kate
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JP, I wouldn't call it over reacting. I call it necessary.

I'm 24 and I have MS. I have gone through all my savings traveling just because of the fact I may be a wheel chair in 20 years.

MS is not something to brush off and if there is a way to prevent it, I say absolutely start taking vitamin d

JP in Ontario
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Science and society tend to look at these things in too much detail. If they simply zoomed back out a bit, they would find that the common answer to most of these surprise findings is simply this: live well. Meaning exercise a bit, eat well, get outside, be active, dont go to excess with things, and you will be just fine. I dont mean to take away from this discovery by any means, its just funny that so many of these findings result in knee jerk reactions to try to work around them, only to result in further complications...example, people will now be taking excess amounts of vit. d supplements...the balance is gone when it comes to how we live, we simply swing the see-saw up and down depending on the latest findings. Its nice to have the "why" behind things. But sometimes that causes us to overreact.

smiling now
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Vitamin D seems to help many things.I suffer with SAD, and since I have been taking it, I feel mcuh better.My doctor advised I try it.
I am pleased to see this study also

Pauline Wilson
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I myself was not aware of this. I instructed to take a prenatal vitamin.
My daughter 23 was just diagnosed with primary progressive MS, just prior to Christmas. So, this is a little disdurbing to learn this now. Ladies, for the sake of your children do take this in addition.