Low levels of vitamin D in the body might indicate a multiple sclerosis risk among women
(Mirror Daily, United States) – A recent study discovered that not having enough vitamin D in the body might translate into an increased risk of multiple sclerosis for women. Therefore, a simple blood test might reveal if the levels of the vitamin could predict an increased risk of developing other health problems.
Are vitamin D and multiple sclerosis related?
Vitamin D is well-known for maintaining our bones healthy, but it can contribute to our general wellness. It’s also called the sunshine vitamin, since our body produces it when we go out in the sun. However, if the body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, it might develop serious health conditions. Among these conditions, there is multiple sclerosis which, in this case, especially threatens women.
Multiple sclerosis is a serious condition, as it attacks the nervous system, and prevents many of its components from communicating. Therefore, if a person is affected by the disease, the risk of afflictions is not only physical, but also mental.
Low vitamin D levels might indicate a higher risk of the disease
However, researchers found a marker which could predict a woman’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis. By assessing the levels of vitamin D from her body, they might be able to measure the degree of risk for this disease as well. The study had a numerous sample of female participants, and suggested that increasing the levels of vitamin D in the body might reduce the multiple sclerosis risk.
For this study, researchers used a series of blood samples taken during the mandatory neonatal tests. From all participants, 1,092 of them went on to develop multiple sclerosis after the tests. Then, researchers compared their results with the results of the other participants who didn’t suffer any complications.
Around 58 percent of these women with the disease had low vitamin D levels. Among those who didn’t develop the disease, only 52 percent had low vitamin levels. Although there is not a big difference between them, some blood tests might be a good indicator of the multiple sclerosis risk. All the results of the study have been published in the journal Neurology.
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