Higher Levels of vitamin D reduces risk of Multiple Sclerosis
Higher Levels of Vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing MS by 62%
While vitamin D has long been associated with helping build strong bones, a recent study suggests that it also may be very helpful in reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Lead author Kassandra Munger pointed out that the vitamin is particularly effective in younger people. "If the association reported here reflects a true protective effect of vitamin D, increasing the vitamin D levels of adolescents and young adults could result in an important reduction in MS incidence." Munger also said that the increased levels could be achieved only through supplements.
According to the authors, multiple sclerosis is among the most common neurological diseases in young adults, effecting 350,000 individuals in the United States and 2 million world wide.
The participants in the study were drawn from U.S. military personnel who have serum samples stored in the Department of Defense Serum Repository, and the controls were matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity and dates of blood collection.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, December, 2006
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