Vitamin D and early onset of MS

A number of studies have shown positive effects of higher vitamin D levels on MS risk.

A recent study in Denmark used lifestyle questionnaires and blood samples from 1,161 people with MS to assess the association between age at onset and vitamin D levels. They looked at lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that may influence the age at onset of MS.

Their results showed that younger age at onset was significantly associated with low exposure to summer sun in adolescence, higher body mass index at 20 years of age, and a gene called HLADRB1*1501.

This suggests that genes, lifestyle, and environment in adolescence seem to be important factors in the development of MS. Controlling sun exposure and body mass index in children and adolescents should be considered to reduce the risk of onset of MS at a lower age.

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