Possible factor in cause of Multiple Sclerosis

[canetoad]

Sunlight factor in multiple sclerosis
KATE HAGAN
May 1, 2010

BABIES of mothers exposed to lower levels of sunlight during the first four months of pregnancy are at greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis, Australian researchers have found.

The risk of MS was 30 per cent higher for babies born in November and December than those born in May and June, according to the research published in the British Medical Journal yesterday.

The findings are consistent with research in the northern hemisphere that shows the reverse - that babies born in May had a higher risk of MS than those born in November.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/sunlight-factor-in-multiple-sclerosis-20100430-tzg7.html
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The article goes on to explain that there are more than one adverse factors, but I think this is a great discovery. I curate a yearly art exhibition for people with disability and am wrenched by the folk with MS. A cruel disease.

[elocs]

1. I have a friend with MS who ironically was born in Iowa in November.

Wrong hemisphere.

[BurtWorm]

2. Vitamin D is all the rage now, purported to protect against all sorts of diseases.

MS, Parkinsons... I think even Alzheimer's. If you don't get enough sunlight or drink milk, you should take 2000 units a day if you can. According to my doctor, who is not a quack. (He was skeptical about Vitamin D until recently. Recommends it as not harmful and possibly even protective.)

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. arrghh. I was born in Nov in Seattle..

Hardly any sun in that area of the state.
Yikes.

And lately the "experts" have been warning so many people to avoid sunlight..wonder if that is
causing an increase in MS???

[WilliamPitt]

6. Is there an increase in MS?

[allthatjazz]

4. confused

I don't understand this. If you were born in November, the first 4 months of your mother's pregnancy was in the spring. If you were born in June, the first four months of your mother's pregnancy was in the Fall. Aren't there higher levels of sunlight in the Spring? (and therefore babies born in November should be at lower risk)

[WilliamPitt]

5. Interesting

My wife has MS. MS is, by and large, a disease of the northern hemisphere, where sunlight (i.e. vitamin D) is in relatively short supply. My wife was born in Baltimore. Go figure.

Thanks or the link.