The Vitamin D factor

This last year was a rough one to endure for us in the northwest. The fall, winter and spring seemed especially dark and dreary. We suffered from a lack of sunshine and this was actually evidenced in some blood tests that Monique and Ellie took in nutritional check-ups.

Both of them were extremely low in Vitamin D. Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency is being linked to the development of multiple sclerosis? Here are some other factors:

• Gender: Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to get the disease than men.
• Family history of MS: A family history increases the risk of developing MS. The closer the relationship, the higher the risk. For example, if your identical twin develops the illness, your chances are about 30%. However, research has shown that there is no single "MS gene." It will take many more years to understand the role of genetics.
• Race: MS appears more commonly in Caucasians than in groups of other racial origin.
• Environmental factors: MS occurs most commonly in those living in northern climates, including anywhere north of Denver or Philadelphia in North America. MS is also common in Northern Europe and Japan. Where you spend the first 15 years of your life plays a crucial role in your odds of developing MS. Tropical and southern regions are considered low risk. If at age 15 or older you moved from the south to a high-risk area in the north, you are still considered to be at low risk for the disease. If you moved before age 15, you would then have a higher risk. There is some early evidence that sunlight exposure and high levels of Vitamin D may decrease the chance of developing MS. However, further research is required before supplements can be recommended for this purpose.

As most of you reading this know, Monique has multiple sclerosis. When we spend time in warmer sunnier climates, she feels better. Certainly, according to research, her body is making more vitamin D with more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.

We are taking all this information in as the Lord will use wisdom in guiding us to live healthy lives in His service. Certainly the discipline of regular exercise, something we embrace as a family, brings honor and glory to Him. We desire to be good stewards of the bodies He has given us to live out this life on earth. Location may have something to do with this stewardship. Please keep us all in your prayers!