Good sunshine during pregnancy could protect the mother and her baby from the risk of multiple sclerosisthis inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
A new study led by neurologist Dr Jonatan Salzer from Umeå University Hospital in Sweden analyzed a database of 300,000 blood samples from 164,000 people in northern Sweden. The blood samples dated back to 1975. A total of 192 people developed multiple sclerosis on average nine years after the blood sample was taken. 37 samples came from pregnant women whose children later developed multiple sclerosis.
It shows that women with the highest blood level of vitamin D had a 61% lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis compared to women with lower levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D would also play a protective role for the future child but only at the end of pregnancy, according to the researchers.
The health benefits of vitamin D have been suggested in several studies. In particular, it has been shown that regular exposure to the sun and vitamin D may reduce the risk of contracting multiple sclerosis.
In France, 80,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis. There are 4,000 new cases per year.
>>Also read: Are we really lacking in vitamin D?
>> To read also: 9 questions about multiple sclerosis
