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Context proven Increased risk of MS in vitamin D deficiency
Despite years of research, the exact causes of the chronic inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS) are still unclear. A new study now shows that people with a genetic vitamin D deficiency have a higher risk of developing MS.
Exact causes of MS still unclear
According to estimates, more than 120,000 people in Germany suffer from the chronic inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite years of research, the exact causes of the disease are still unclear. Last year, German researchers found a clue to the development of multiple sclerosis. Scientists from the Dresden Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, together with colleagues from the University Hospital Göttingen, succeeded in identifying a cell that could have a significant impact on the development of the disease. A new study from Canada now shows that genetic vitamin D deficiency increases MS risk.
A lack of vitamin D significantly increases the risk of MS. (Image: DOC RABE Media / fotolia.com) Vitamin D deficiency increases disease risk
According to a study by McGill University in Montreal, Canada, people who are genetically predisposed to low vitamin D levels are at an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. According to a pressetext.com report, the research based on the DNA profiles of tens of thousands of European ancestral people supports the theory that vitamin D plays a role in this disease. It is said that this relationship has been suspected for some time. But only now was it possible for the first time to prove the genetically caused deficiency as the cause of an increased risk of illness.
Dissemination in people with European ancestry examined
In their study, the scientists compared the spread of the disease in a large group of people with European ancestry. About 14,000 people with MS and about 24,000 healthy people were involved. According to the information, the genetic predisposition to vitamin deficiency was sought after, as this genetic variation in the population tends to occur at random. Because of this, researchers hoped that any proven link would be scientifically tenable.
MS in sun-poor countries more often
The research, published in the journal "PLOS MEDICINE", suggests that people with lower levels of a vitamin D marker are more susceptible to MS because of their genetic predisposition than people without this bias. It has been reported that the risk of contracting MS would be halved if the level of the marker in the blood could be increased 1.5-fold in the at-risk population. Already in the past, international research projects have shown that multiple sclerosis occurs more often in those countries that have less sunshine.
Preventive administration of vitamin D.
Man covers most of his vitamin D needs by sun exposure of the skin. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in various processes in the organism and a deficiency of the so-called sun hormone is associated with numerous health complaints. Left untreated, vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone softening (osteomalacia) with skeletal deformation or bone loss (osteoporosis). As scientists from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom reported last year, they found in a study that the risk of dementia due to vitamin D deficiency can be increased. According to researchers from Canada, it is still unclear whether preventive vitamin administration or use as a drug in MS can prevent the disease or alleviate the symptoms. This should be researched in long-term studies, the study authors recommend. (Ad)