Originally published November 8 2005
Australian researchers link vitamin D deficiency to Tasmania's high level of MS cases
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Epidemiologist Robyn Lucas, of the Australian National University in Canberra, led a study that focused on the high concentration of multiple sclerosis in Tasmania, and the research suggests that vitamin D deficiencies account for the high risk Tasmanians run for the disease.
Researchers believe that vitamin D deficiency could be the reason why Tasmania has a higher rate of multiple sclerosis sufferers than mainland Australia.
Pinpointing why Tasmanians are twice as likely to suffer from the disease as other Australians could help in the search for a cure.
About 75 people in every 100,000 have MS in Tasmania, compared to 36 in Newcastle, 30 in Perth, 21 in sub-tropical Queensland and 12 in tropical Queensland.
The latitudinal impact on MS susceptibility has been documented worldwide, but Australia's MS population is an ideal group to study because of its wide latitude gradient, combined with a population sharing a common health care system.
Latest findings from a national study into the latitudinal impact on MS were discussed at a genetics conference in Sydney yesterday.
Epidemiologist Robyn Lucas, of the Australian National University in Canberra, said the researchers were studying patients showing the first symptoms of MS before diagnosis and comparing them with a healthy control group.
The case-control study involves a detailed interview with the participants, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging brain scans and even casts of the backs of their hands.
"We put some silicon on and when you peel the silicon off, you actually get a cast of all the skin lines on the back of the hand," Dr Lucas explained in an interview.
Previous epidemiological research of MS sufferers in Tasmania, which has Australia's highest rates of the auto-immune disease, found a lack of winter sun exposure between the ages of six and 15 seemed to put a person at increased risk of developing the disorder.
Scientists also say MS, which affects three times as many women as men, is uncommon in people with deeply pigmented skin.
MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young Australians.
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