Youngsters born with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop MS

December 1, 2016

Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium – crucial for bone health
Danish experts found those with the highest levels were 47% less at risk
But the study does not prove increasing vitamin D levels reduces the risk

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
16:00 EST, 30 November 2016

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Updated:
19:18 EST, 30 November 2016

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Going outdoors in the sunshine while pregnant could prevent your child from developing multiple sclerosis, scientists claim.

Youngsters born low levels of vitamin D were one-and-a-half times more likely to suffer from the condition, a study found.

It is known that the nutrient helps the body to absorb calcium, which plays a crucial role in bone and muscle health.

Skin naturally produces vitamin D after exposure to sunlight but can also be obtained through certain foods.

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Youngsters born with low levels of vitamin D were one-and-a-half times more likely to suffer from the condition, a study found

The findings add to the growing debate about the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy.

Evidence suggests vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can harm maternal health, foetal development and the child’s long-term skeletal health.

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Danish researchers identified 521 people born since 1981 who went on to develop multiple sclerosis by 2012 through dried blood samples.

Their blood samples were then compared to that of 972 healthy individuals of the same sex and age.

The findings by Danish researchers add to the growing debate about the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy

Participants were then divided into five groups based on their vitamin D levels.

They found those with the highest levels were 47 per cent less likely to develop multiple sclerosis.

VITAMIN D TO TREAT RESPIRATORY VIRUSES

Vitamin D could soon be used to treat deadly respiratory viruses, research earlier this month suggested.

Elderly patients who had high doses of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ were 40 per cent less likely to develop lung infections.

Pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza are known to have higher death rates among older people because of their weakened immune system.

But because they are viruses, antibiotics are often not prescribed due to them being ineffective.

However, US researchers believe vitamin D helps to reinforce the first line of defence as people age to prevent acute respiratory infections.

Newborns with levels less than 30 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) were considered to be deficient.

Less than 50 was deemed to be insufficient levels and above this was classed as sufficient.

The lowest group were found to have less lower than 21 nmol/L and the top group more than 49 nmol/L.

There were 136 people with the condition and 193 people without it in the bottom group.

While in the top group, there were 89 sufferers and 198 people who were unaffected.

However, lead researcher Dr Nete Nielsen, of the State Serum Institute, Copenhagen, said the study does not prove increasing vitamin D levels reduces the risk of the condition.

He added: ‘More research is needed to confirm these results but our results may provide important information to the ongoing debate about vitamin D for pregnant women.’

The study was published in the journal Neurology.