- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Overweight Moms More Likely to Have Asthmatic Kids
- Air Quality Better in Northeast, Midwest
- Asthmatics Who Quit Smoking May Reverse Lung Damage
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Acupuncture Eases Breast Cancer Treatment Side Effects
- Relaxation Tapes or Mozart Lower Blood Pressure
- Acupuncture Eases Side Effects of Head, Neck Cancer Treatments
- ANIMAL CARE
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- BONES & JOINTS
- Frankincense Provides Relief for Osteoarthritis
- Extra Pounds in Mid-Life Affect Later Mobility
- Study Shows Exercise Shields Against Osteoporosis
- CANCER
- Vitamin C Shows Promise as Cancer Treatment
- Study Cites Gains in Gall Bladder Cancer Treatment
- To Quit Smoking, Try Logging On
- CAREGIVING
- ER Less Likely to Diagnose Stroke in Younger Folks
- Memory Loss Help from Brain Supplement Prevagen
- Tiniest Babies Carry Biggest Costs
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Obesity Linked to Heart Failure Risk
- Vitamins Do Older Women Little Good
- Common Antioxidant Might Slow Parkinson's
- COSMETIC
- Contact Lenses Boost Kids' Self-Image
- Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow
- Study Evaluates Laser Therapies for Hair Removal
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Biological Product Shows Promise Against Gum Disease
- Gummy Bears Join Cavity Fight
- A Sweet Way to Shield Baby's Teeth
- DIABETES
- Exercise Protects Black Women From Type 2 Diabetes
- Brown Rice Bests White for Diabetes Prevention
- Doctors Urged to Screen Diabetics for Sleep Apnea
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Eating Lots Of Vegetables, Olive Oil May Extend Life
- The High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Debate
- More Educated Choose Healthier Foods, But Pay More
- DISABILITIES
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Sunken, Unexploded Bombs Pose Cancer Risk
- Warmer-Than-Average Temperatures Raise Migraine Risk
- Global Warming Biggest Health Threat of 21st Century, Experts Say
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Impotence Drugs Don't Harm Vision: Study
- Thyroid Problems Boost Glaucoma Risk
- Blood Sugar Control Helps Diabetics Preserve Sight
- FITNESS
- Will the Wii Keep You Fit?
- When It Comes to Lifting, the Pros Have Your Back
- Simple Steps Get Walkers Moving
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Intestinal Bacteria Trigger Immune Response
- HRT Use Raises Risk of Stomach Trouble
- Bowel Prep Harder on Women Than Men
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Common Social Groups and Race, Seem to Help People Relate
- U.S. Prepares for Possible Return of Swine Flu in Fall
- Should the FDA Regulate Tobacco?
- HEAD & NECK
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Magnet Therapy May Ease Hard-to-Treat Depression
- Using Light Therapy to Silence Harmful Brain Activity
- 'Cell Phone Elbow' -- A New Ill for the Wired Age
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Man's Best Friend Helps Mend Broken Hearts
- Vigorous Exercise Cuts Stroke Risk for Men, Not Women
- After a Stroke, Light Exercise Gets Hands, Arms Working Again
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Surgical Masks Could Prevent Flu, Maybe
- Chinese 'Devil Dung' Plant Could Be a Swine Flu Fighter
- Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
- KID'S HEALTH
- Scary Toxins Make Halloween Face Paints Questionable
- Older People at Greater Risk of Swine Flu Death
- Scorpion Anti-Venom Speeds Children's Recovery
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Countdown to Hair Loss
- Low Vitamin D Levels May Boost Men's Heart Attack Risk
- Could Chinese Herb Be a Natural Viagra?
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Meditation, Yoga Might Switch Off Stress Genes
- Meditation May Boost College Students' Learning
- Memory Loss Help from Brain Supplement Prevagen
- PREGNANCY
- Exercise Boosts Bone Density in Breast-Feeding Moms
- Mom's Extra Pregnancy Pounds May Raise Child's Heart Risks
- Calcium Supplements Cut Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy
- SENIORS
- Life Expectancy in U.S. Hits New High
- More Whole Grains May Mean Less Fat
- Common Antioxidant Might Slow Parkinson's
Vitamin D Deficit May Trigger MS Risk Gene
By eHolistic.com Published: 02/05/2009
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.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: PLoS Genetics, news release, Feb. 5, 2009
Last Updated: Feb. 05, 2009
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