[good news] vitamin d may lower ms risk

From CNN: the "sunshine vitamin" may do more than promote healthy bones; it may ward off multiple sclerosis, one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults.

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health offers some of the strongest evidence yet that people with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood were at lower risk for later developing the disease.

Researchers found that among white people, the risk for multiple sclerosis was lowest among those with the highest vitamin D levels, and highest for those with the lowest vitamin D levels. Among black people, who researchers say have a naturally lower level of vitamin D in their blood because of the pigment in their skin, no significant associations between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis risk were found.

Doctors still don't know what causes MS, but many are convinced heredity plays a role. Women with MS tend to outnumber men 3-1. Where you live and exposure to sunlight are also factors. Research has shown in regions where there is more sunlight and vitamin D levels are higher, there are fewer cases of MS than in those with less sunlight.

Vitamin D is unique. The fat-soluble vitamin is found naturally in foods such as milk, cheese, fish and fortified juices and cereals. It can also be produced in the body by exposure to sunlight. More is not better: The Institute of Medicine warns that excessive intake of supplemental vitamin D can have serious, toxic effects on the body, including excessive calcium levels in the blood, high blood pressure, nausea, poor appetite, weakness, constipation, impaired kidney function and kidney damage.

So, smoked salmon, cream cheese and a glass of Kefir seem to be indicated.

More on Vitamin D here. [Please note that the CNN link for this story doesn't work - distorts the page and takes the photo.]