Sun may protect youth against MS
Sunlight's getting a lot of press lately, with emerging research that vitamin D is crucial for the prevention of certain diseases. Sun exposure is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get vitamin D, but because sun exposure also brings with it the risk of skin cancer, getting enough but not too much is a balancing act.A recent small study of identical twins has now also linked sun exposure with a reduced risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The study found that female Caucasian twins who spent more time tanning or in the sun were 50% less likely to develop the condition. The finding was not replicated in male twins or in other races. Because the study was based strictly on input from the participants, it's purely preliminary, but experts say that further studies in this area should be a high priority for MS prevention.
Multiple sclerosis is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 and is more common in women than in men. Remember, a little sun exposure goes a long way and for some, just 2 minutes may make all the vitamin D the body can process, so if you do get sun exposure without sunscreen, play it safe and smart.
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