Multiple Sclerosis And Vitamin D

Apr 29, 2011
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common disease of the central nervous system. MS is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system attacks the person’s healthy tissue. Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed.

In a nutshell, MS can cause blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These symptoms may be permanent or may come and go.

A recent study in Britain suggests that individuals who’ve had infectious mononucleosis aka “mono” and have had low levels of sunlight may have a higher chance developing multiple sclerosis.

Dr. George Ebers of the University of Oxford and his colleagues found mononucleosis and the effects of exposure to less intense sunlight together explained 72% of the variance in MS prevalence across England.

Also, a study printed in the journal Neurology showed the intensity of ultraviolet B exposure, a type of radiation from the sun, alone explained 61% of the difference in MS cases between those living in northern and southern parts of the country.

“When our data are taken in combination with others, it gives confidence that there is a pressing need to investigate the role of vitamin D and [infectious mononucleosis] and their interaction in the pathogenesis of MS.”

Our bodies naturally produce vitamin D when exposed to UVB sunlight. Researchers believe there is a possibility that vitamin D deficiency may lead to abnormal response to the Epstein-Barr virus. The Epstein-Barr virus when contracted can lead to mono (in some people). The connection between the virus and MS still needs further investigation.

Low levels of the vitamin may lead to an abnormal response to
Epstein-Barr virus, such as infectious mononucleosis. Vitamin D also plays a role in the immune system.

“This work adds weight to existing evidence that MS is caused by a number of factors working in combination. Vitamin D has been closely studied in recent years and is thought to be a key factor in the development of MS; we look forward to seeing more research dedicated to this important area, Dr. Doug Brown, head of biomedical research at the society.”

More Information:

National MS Society – http://www.nationalmssociety.org
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/04/19/multiple-sclerosis-sunlight-mono-virus.html

Author: Jenny Carlton

Jenny originally from Ohio (the buckeye state) moved to Chicago over 2 years ago. She has adjusted well in the big city and doesn’t even mind the cold winters, since Cleveland’s weather is pretty much the same as it is in Chicago, but with more snow. Jenny is an active, adventurous person, who loves to travel, participate in outdoor activities, and try new things.


Related posts:

  1. The Environmental Link? Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
  2. Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin F
  3. Beating Multiple Sclerosis before it Beats You
  4. World Multiple Sclerosis Day
  5. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Exercise
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    When I phoned the Prescription into Shoppers Drug Mart the Pharmacist was shocked. He asked me if I knew what I was getting into. I did not know. He told me the drug was physically addictive and next to impossible to get out of one’s body. He said it had very severe withdrawal symptoms and that the effect of the drug while one is taking it has very severe effects on the body. Feeling I needed to do something that was prescribed by the doctor, I took it during the month of March. I experienced the following side effects from the drug. Catatonic: The drug produced catatonic states for hours at a time. If I was lying or sitting, even in an uncomfortable position, I would not move. I would not blink, I would not swallow, If I had any emotional feelings, whether happy or sad I would cry silently, tears rolling out of the back corners of my eyes, filling my ears, I experienced hallucinations like me crawling across the ceiling like a spider. Standing on the balcony looking down, I would see myself running down the street running in like an ape-like manner. I lost my will to speak or emit sound of any kind, did not want food or water, The cramping and spasms did subside but at such a cost I wanted off the drug within a month. I stopped the drug at the end of March, but experienced severe withdrawal symptoms: muscle cramping worse than before, severe headaches, clenching of jaw, running saliva, stomach aches, constipation, nausea, crying, depression. I continuously had to take small doses of the drug to calm these effects. It took until the end of September, before the side effects lessened enough that I could withstand the headaches. The chemical left my body by the end of October. I completely missed my summer. I spent it in agony, in bed.  I am writing this as a warning to those who are or will attend the MS clinics for the symptoms of cramping and muscle spasms. The MS Foundation knows the side effects but have recently started to prescribe the drug.  I would caution you not to take this drug and to share this information with your friends who have MS.

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