Findings of a new study have showed that people genetically prone to low vitamin-D levels are more likely to suffer from multiple sclerosis. Researchers reached at the conclusion after studying the DNA profiles of tens of thousands of people of European descent.

The study has highlighted the risk of MS faced by people with low vitamin-D levels. Scientists are also endeavoring to figure out if MS can be eased or prevented in people by giving them extra vitamin D.

Researchers
say perhaps environmental and genetic factors play a role in development of this disease of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

Experts advise to take help from your doctor if you are not getting sufficient vitamin D from sunlight or your diet. They also suggest no to take too much vitamin D as it can also pose risk to health.

Previous studies have also shown that MS brunt is faced by people living in less sunny countries, further from the equator. However, they could not confirm if the relationship is causal.

Findings of the latest study have been published in the journal PLoSMedicine, showing people with blood levels of a marker of vitamin D because of their genetic disposition had higher chances of having MS than those without these genes.

“There are many unanswered questions around what causes MS, so this large scale study is an exciting step towards understanding more about the complex nature of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to it”, said Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, from the MS Society.