The Multiple Sclerosis and Vitamin D Connection

Do you love the feeling of being in the sun? Indulging in the comfortable warmth of sunlight (with sunscreen, of course) can be rewarding. Yearning for the feeling may increase after realizing how exposure to sunlight can help our body generate more vitamin D. Vitamin D helps in the relief of multiple conditions, but what most people don’t know is it helps you fight the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

MS is a severe health condition in which your immune system cells become inflamed and begin attacking other cells in your body. This can leave you with some serious symptoms, ranging from small tingling feelings, blurred vision, numbness to total paralysis. Sometimes, if the condition deteriorates quickly, it can even lead to death.

If you haven’t developed any signs of multiple sclerosis it’s crucial for you to do all you can to prevent it, or at least minimize the risks. Researchers have found that providing your body with efficient amounts of vitamin D aids in prevention. How are they able to come to this conclusion?

Research has shown that people living far away from the equator, (Northern Europe countries) where there is a lack of sunlight, tend to develop extensive neurological conditions that people living in tropical areas don’t experience. Vitamin D deficiency, due to the lack of sunshine, is said to be one of the direct causes of MS in those areas of the world.

Moreover, other studies in Cuba, Italy and Norway also pointed out some interesting points: people who spent more time participating in outdoor activities (in the sun) before the age of 15 had lower risks of developing multiple sclerosis. Conversely, young people who spent less time in the sun during the summer are more at risk for this condition.

Persuading your younger siblings to join you outside on a sunny day can be crucial. Awareness is a big part of prevention and even though it may be difficult to gather everyone outdoors, it’s important we try. The younger a person is when exposed to sunlight, the better for his or her body’s absorption of sunlight.

Contrary to popular belief, the most ideal time of the day for effective sunbathing is between 10am and 2pm. This is when sunlight contains the highest amount of UV-B, which is crucial for the generation of vitamin D3. The more you age and the darker your complexion is, the more time you need to spend in the sun to get the sunlight that your body needs.

Sunbathing is the easiest way to provide your body with the tools to create vitamin D. However, in those areas that are distant from the equator, the lack of sunlight is a disadvantage. In this case, vitamin D supplementation is a safe, cost-effective and easy way to obtain efficient levels of vitamin D.

If you’re concerned that your body is experiencing neurological issues or symptoms of MS, don’t hesitate to contact one of our neurologists for advice. Early detection and treatment are very important for your recovery. Sunlight may help in the prevention of Multiple Sclerosis, but when it comes to treatment, relying on medical diagnosis is the best option.