Evidence of the protective effect of sun exposure in preventing MS progression

The evidence base is now very strong showing the protective effect of sun exposure and vitamin D in MS.

In this study, researchers from Baltimore studied 219 veterans in the MS Surveillance Registry with progressive MS. They found that low sun exposure prior to MS diagnosis was associated with a more than twice as rapid progression to disability.

Further, taking cod liver oil (containing vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids) at any time in childhood or adolescence more than halved the risk of progression.

This adds to the data supporting the promotion of regular low dose sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation to people with an increased risk of developing MS, that is those who are related to people with MS, and those living further from the equator.