Vitamin D helps control MS gene
The first evidence of how vitamin D deficiency and genetics interact to increase the risk of multiple sclerosis has been reported by researchers.
“Here we show that the main environmental risk candidate – vitamin D – and the main gene region are directly linked and interact.”
A UK and Canadian team found that vitamin D helps to control a gene known to increase MS risk, the PLoS Genetics journal reports.
It suggests that vitamin D supplements taken during pregnancy and early in life could prevent the disease.
The researchers found that proteins activated by vitamin D in the body bind to a particular DNA sequence next to the gene, altering its function.
They believe that vitamin D deficiency in mothers or even in a previous generation may lead to altered expression of the gene in their offspring.
05/02/09
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7871598.stm
