The sunshine vitamin: Researchers sound alarm over shortage among non-whites
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
Vitamin
D tests conducted on a group of University of Toronto students have
found that virtually all non-whites had insufficient levels of the
sunshine vitamin, putting them at elevated risk of debilitating
diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer and diabetes.
The research, which is awaiting publication in a medical journal,
found that 100 per cent of those of African origin were short of
vitamin D, as were 93 per cent of South Asians (those of Indian or
Pakistani origin), and 85 per cent of East Asians (those of Chinese,
Indochinese or Filipino origin, among other countries).
A diagnosis of MS can feel overwhelming, even terrifying. Though over 400,000 American's have received that diagnosis, succinct answers on the issues surrounding MS can be hard to come by. This guide is the definitive resource for those who need information on this debilitating disease. Organized in an accessible question-and-answer format, it includes information on diagnosis, epidemiology, and the condition's emotional, social, and economic aspects, as well as descriptions of common medications and helpful advice for managing symptoms.
The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) has identified two new genetic variations associated with MS, completing the largest replicated whole genome scan (scan of all the genes in the body) for multiple sclerosis to date. In addition, two independent collaborating groups published papers in Nature Genetics confirming one of these gene variations. The findings point to potential mechanisms underlying the disease and present possible new targets for designing better therapies to stop the immune attack in MS. The IMSGC, a group of international MS genetic experts created with funding from the U.S. National MS Society, report their results in The New England Journal of Medicine (published early online July 29, 2007). The U.S. MS Society and Harvard united to jointly raise a total of $3.63 million to fund this genome scan study.
“By pinpointing genes that elevate the risk of developing MS and other autoimmune diseases,” stated Dr. John R. Richert, Executive Vice President, Research & Clinical Programs at the National MS Society, “these studies lead us in new directions for both treating and eventually preventing these diseases.” All of the data from the gene scan is being made publicly available to aid future research.
BACKGROUND Increased familial risks in multiple sclerosis (MS) range from 300-fold for monozygotic twins to 20-40-fold for biological first-degree relatives, suggesting a genetic influence. Yet if one identical twin has MS the other usually will not. One way of sorting out the contributions of genes and environment is to study half-sibs. METHODS In a Canadian population-based sample of 16 000 MS cases seen at 14 regional MS clinics one half-sib (or more) was reported by 939 index cases.
