Supplements during pregnancy and early years could cut child’s susceptibility, study says

THURSDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) — A direct interaction between vitamin D and a common genetic variant may affect a person’s risk of multiple sclerosis, according to British and Canadian researchers who also said that vitamin D deficiency while in the womb and early in life may increase the risk of MS later in life.

Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in MS, a neurological condition that affects 2.5 million people worldwide. Vitamin D is a major environmental factor, and the largest genetic effect comes from the region on chromosome six containing a gene variant called DRB1*1501 and from adjacent DNA sequences.

In the general population, about one in 1,000 people will develop MS. But that increases to about one in 300 among people who have a single copy of the DRB1*1501 and about one in 100 among people with two copies of the variant.

The study found that proteins activated by vitamin D in the body bind to a particular DNA sequence lying next to the DRB1*1501 variant, which causes the gene to switch on.

The study was published in the Feb. 6 edition of PLoS Genetics.

“In people with the DRB1 variant associated with MS, it seems that vitamin D may play a critical role. If too little of the vitamin is available, the gene may not function properly,” study co-author Julian Knight said in a journal news release.

The researchers believe that vitamin D deficiency in mothers or even in a previous generation may lead to altered expression of DRB1*1501 in offspring.

“Our study implies that taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years may reduce the risk of child developing MS in later life,” lead author Dr. Sreeram Ramagopalan said in the news release. “Vitamin D is a safe and relatively cheap supplement with substantial potential health benefits. There is accumulating evidence that it can reduce the risk of developing cancer and offer protection from other autoimmune diseases.”

More information

The Multiple Sclerosis Society has more about genetics and MS.

The American Academy of Dermatology recently issued a position statement stressing the importance of getting enough vitamin D without overexposing yourself to cancer-causing UV radiation from sunlight or tanning machines. They recommend getting vitamin D from supplements along with foods rich in vitamin D. There are not many foods naturally rich in vitamin D, but fatty fish and cod liver oil provide significant amounts. Vitamin D-fortified milk is also a good source.

There are plenty of good reasons to rely on supplements for your vitamin D. For one thing, supplements are the only sure way to get the higher amounts of vitamin D that new research shows is beneficial. Experts are recommending 1,000-2,000 IU a day, much more than most people would get through typical sun exposure. And even if you like a little bit of a tan, you probably don’t like the wrinkles and brown age spots that are the trademark of sun-damaged skin.

Supplemental vitamin D comes in two distinct forms: ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Research has shown that supplemental D3 is more active in the body than D2. However, D2 is the form frequently used to fortify dairy products and is found in many supplements. ..read more here.

I have been  checking Vitamin D Levels on select patients for about 1 year now.  I was surprised to find that more than 75% of those that I checked were moderately to severely deficient in Vitamin D, and this is in Southern California where we have sunshine 340 days a year.

I noticed that my patients with fibromyalgia were deficient of Vitamin D,  100% of the time.  The more severe the fibromyalgia, the lower the Vitamin D levels.    I then looked up Vitamin D Deficiency in my Merck Manual. The signs of Vitamin D Deficiency were muscle aches (myalgias), joint pains (arthralgias) and generalized fatigue. Could this be a cause of their fibromyalgia?   I started treating my patients with about 2000 IU of Vitamin D daily. A few patients have reported feeling better, others have not.    I am still collecting data and will keep you posted.  Many other studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with osteoporosis, colon cancer, breast cancer and other maladies.

So how do you get Vitamin D?  Increase your sunlight exposure! Everyone is too afraid of skin cancer so they are avoiding the sun. Are we  contributing to more colon and breast cancers than preventing skin cancers?  If you choose to supplement, most will need 1000-2000 IU. The recommended 400 IU of Vitamin D is too low.

To check your Vitamin D levels, have your doctor order a Vitamin D 25-OH Level.

addendum: May 13th, 2008- It is important that you take Vitamin D3, not regular Vitamin D as its not as potent. I have seen favorable results in patients, including a drug rep whose pains have diminished significantly...read more here….

• Dewi Cooke
• January 12, 2009

INCREASED African immigration to Australia has brought a rise in cases of vitamin D deficiency, which researchers link to serious health problems including tuberculosis, diabetes and obesity.

Migrants from eastern and sub-Saharan African countries such as Sudan were particularly susceptible to vitamin D deficiency because of their darker skin and lowered exposure to direct sunlight in Australia, researchers say.

Having dark skin meant many African migrants needed five to six times more exposure to sunlight a day than someone with fairer skin, but they often received less in Victoria because of environmental, social and housing factors.

“Moving from Africa where they have a lot of ultra-violet light to Melbourne, which doesn’t have much in winter, means they just can’t generate enough vitamin D,” said Melbourne University head of endocrinology Peter Ebeling….read more here…