Vitamin Information Center

Vitamin D, which the body makes when exposed to sunlight, may help prevent multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests a new study.

What’s more, the principal regulator of calcium in the body may also prevent the production of malignant cells such as breast and prostate cancer cells.

According to an article by Sylvia Christakos, PhD, of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, the research shows that the incidence of MS decreases as the amount of vitamin D available to the body increases, either through sunlight exposure or diet.

The study has been published online in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.

“Since vitamin D is produced in the skin through solar or UV irradiation and high serum levels have been shown to correlate with a reduced risk of MS, this suggests that vitamin D may regulate the immune response and may promote a host’s reaction to a pathogen,” Christakos said.

Christakos’ report focuses on the immunosuppressive actions of the active form of vitamin D, which may inhibit the induction of MS, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sufficient vitamin D level.

“Evidence has shown that the maintenance of an adequate vitamin D level may have a protective effect in individuals predisposed to MS,” Christakos said.

“One device of vitamin D action may be to preserve balance in the T-cell reaction and thus avoid autoimmunity,” Christakos added.

Despite the significant evidence of the benefits of vitamin D relative to MS and other autoimmune diseases, Christakos cautions that further studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D alone or combined with other treatments is effective in individuals with active MS.

BABIES are healthier if their mothers are pregnant with them over summer, according to research.

Researchers said babies with softer skulls were more likely to have been in the womb over winter - because their mothers lacked enough vitamin D, which is absorbed from sunlight.

Dr Tohru Yorifuji from the Kyoto University Hospital said his team’s study of more than 1100 newborns in Japanese hospitals revealed that pregnancies over winter could lead to problems in babies.

“Craniotabes, the softening of skull bones, in otherwise normal newborns has largely been regarded as a physiological condition without the need for treatment,” Dr Yorifuji said.

“Our findings, however, show that this untreated condition may be the result of a potentially dangerous vitamin D deficiency.”

In an article to be published in the May edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the researchers said 22 per cent of babies studied had craniotabes.

“The incidence was highest in (babies) born in April-May and lowest in those born in November,” the researchers said.

“Otherwise, the incidence of craniotabes was not significantly related with the maternal age, number of pregnancies, birth weight, or weeks of pregnancies.”

Dr Yorifuji said mothers should also be concerned about how much vitamin D their baby needed while feeding.

“Until more research is done on the effects of perinatal vitamin D deficiency, we suggest treating breast-fed infants with craniotabes with vitamin D, or preferably, treating all pregnant women with vitamin D.”

A lack of vitamin D in adults has previously been linked to increased risks of multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and other diseases.

IOWA CITY - If storm after storm is giving you the winter blues, we have some more bad news. It turns out a slip and fall on the ice could be especially dangerous if your vitamin D levels are low. And just about everyone living in Iowa is low right now.

In February our days are shorter and the skies are cloudy. Winter takes its toll on us mentally. But it is also a drain on our vitamin D. Experts say that can lead to all kinds of problems. Registered dietitian Sue Little said, “We’re at more risk for multiple sclerosis, higher risk for diabetes, higher risk for falls and muscle weakness. The list goes on.”

In the summer, Iowans only need to be outside for about 10 minutes to get enough vitamin D. But in February, it is a much different story. Little said, “You’d have to stay outside naked for like five hours to get enough vitamin d synthesis this time of year.”

There is simply not enough sun in Iowa in February to get all the vitamin D you need, so you need to go shopping. Little says a glass of milk a day will get you 10-percent of what you need. Fatty fish like salmon is also a good source of vitamin D. But your best bet might be a supplement. Little said, “I usually don’t recommend supplements, but for this situation we probably need one thousand IU’s per day.”

A vitamin D supplement will replenish what your body uses and loses in the winter. And little says nearly every Iowan needs more. Studies show three out of four of us are vitamin D deficient in February.

Little says a supplement should not replace vitamin D rich foods. The pills should be considered an addition to your diet.

Email Steve Nicoles at Steve.Nicoles@kcrg.com

Though many people have not even heard of Lupus, it is common - more common than some well-known diseases such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and leukemia. But because not much is known about the disease, treatment of lupus is made more difficult. What is lupus, exactly?

Diagnosis and treatment of lupus is made more complicated by the fact that currently, there is no one single test that can positively identify the disease. In fact, lupus is often mistaken for other diseases with some similar symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis. In fact, lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the body essentially “turns” on itself. When this happens the body creates antibodies that attack the body rather than protect it.
Continue Reading…