At the Oxford and British Columbia Universities, scientists have recently shown that variations in a specific gene and vitamin D levels are related to multiple scleroris. In numerous multiple sclerosis cases, there have also been deficiencies in vitamin D. Also plausible, severe deficiencies in vitamin D could well have triggered multiple sclerosis in the first place.

Genetic research reveals the malefactor
In people with Multiple sclerosis (MS) the body’s immune system attacks the protective coat around nerve cells ( the myelin sheath);  MS is currently classified as an autoimmune disease In other words, your immune system is confused and cannot tell the difference between a body protein and an "unwelcome" foreign invader. Most patients who suffer forms of multiple sclerosis have a normal life expectancy. Multiple sclerosis is an inherent disease. Although the gene responsible for the condition can be found in families, it is not directly inherent. An interesting fact about the inheritance of this condition is that it may skip a generation or two and even come from  one’s extended family ( meaning one’s distant cousins, aunts, uncles, et cetera), so if the parent has it, the child might not be prone to develop or ever have MS.

It looks like the people carrying one type (or allele) of the gene HLA-DBR1 are more likely to develop MS than others.

The HLA-DBR1 gene, has over 400 alleles, and it is located on chromosome 6 in the human genome. According to recent studies conducted in the UK, people with the DRB1*1501 variation are up to three times more likely to develop MS. Scientists have discovered that vitamin D sets off a switch in the DRB1*1501 variant of this key gene. But here's the interesting bit: there is no vitamin D trigger in variations of the HLA-DBR1 gene that are not linked to MS

Environmental exposures
Worldwide there are over 2.5 million people who suffer from MS. In multiple sclerosis cases, the level of vitamin D in the blood is lower than normal, and epidemiological studies suggest that the further away from the Equator we live, the higher the chance of developing MS. It is generally accepted that the geographical distribution of Multiple Sclerosis indicates that people who do not get as much sun as others present a higher risk of developing MS. The reason why multiple sclerosis is almost non-existent in tropical regions is that the human skin produces vitamin D under the warm ultraviolet rays of the sun – year round sun equals less chances of MS and more vitamin D.

The doctor’s recommendation
Vitamin D can reduce inflammation and possibly auto immune activity. In contrast to many vitamins, no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) has been set for vitamin D. However, an adequate vitamin D intake level has been established by the Institute of Medicine. For people under 50 the recommended amount is 200 IU; for people between 50 and 70 the recommended amount is 400IU and for people over 70 600 IU. There is no known ideal level of vitamin D in the blood, but for a good health concentrations over 50 nanomoles /liter of blood are recommended. Also, too much vitamin D is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions such as kidney dysfunctions.