The role of sunshine in preventing multiple sclerosis has been suspected for some time – and now a major study provides more proof.
The Australian study shows that people in the early stages of multiple sclerosis have had less exposure to sunshine and have lower levels of vitamin D – which is generated by sunshine – than others.
Just 600 people were involved in the research. But the researchers say it is the first time patients have been studied in the very first stages of multiple sclerosis.
This enabled measurement of levels of vitamin D before the disease became too serious or before patients had changed their lifestyles as a result of the illness.
The study, reported in the journal Neurology, showed that people with evidence of skin damage from too much sun were 60 per cent less likely than others to be amongst new MS patients.
Sun exposure varied between 500 and 6,000 kilojoules per meter squared – and every 1,000 kilojoules reduced the risk of developing MS by 30 per cent.
The Australian researchers said there was a stark difference in the risk of disease between people living in the north of the country – closest to the equator – and the south.
Researcher Dr Robyn Lucas, of the Australian National University, Canberra, said: "Added together, the differences in sun exposure, vitamin D levels and skin type accounted for a 32-percent increase in a diagnosed first event from the low to the high latitude regions of Australia."
* Meanwhile British researchers announced plans to move forward with developing ways of repair the damage that causes MS.
Cambridge University researchers have successfully shown that the myelin sheaf in the brain can be repaired.
Researcher Professor Robert Franklin is to get £2 million from the MS Society towards the project, it was announced.
The aim will be to find ways of testing the treatment and ensuring its safety.
Neurology February 8 2011
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