As do I (looking forward to reading it) as I am sun worshiper extraordinaire and have been since my youth (which I assure you was many years ago). Keep waiting for those basal cells to appear and yet when blood levels of D are measured I have virtually none so something is def going on with my Vitamin D stores. I will look up the enzyme associated with D absorption and post back should I find anything but if you find out first please post!

I have always been a sun worshipper. as well. Although living in the Seattle area, it doesn't mean I get a lot of it. I am glad I have gotten as much as I have as I amd not fair skinned and thus need much more exposure to get the vitamin D benefits.

Here is another intersting article I found on re-myelination. Haven't looked into too much but I need to do some Christmas shopping so maybe I'll have some time tthis evening.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11913689

This is the dr doing the research.

http://www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?rjf1000

Fascinating that he is a vet! My neuro in VA used to say "we cure a lot of rats." But I do believe there is a missing link and living in PA I spent a lot of time at the Jersey Shore (nope not one of "them") and I too am of olive complexion and tan right up and am dark throughout the summer. Same in VA. Now back in PA. I also had several concussions as a child and Epstein Barr as a teen so my poor neuro system is just teaming with openings, not to mention it might be familial with me as my cousin had MS (first cousin) and my family is/was very secretive and we never knew what my mother's brothers died from (cousins father). I will def look into this more. Thanks for the info and hope your shopping expedition went well. I just can't get into the spirit this year. We sold my home this summer and moved to an apartment where we had an earthquake and then hurricane. Moved to a townhouse which was barely liveable (filthy and run down) and then after 3 weeks had 2 weeks to find a place in PA to live. My husband found this place close to his work with no regard for me - 2 flights up to the main level which has no bathroom and 2 flights to the upper level with laundry in the basement. So I really do need to find some help here! I am still functional but gets harder with each passing day with the steps and stress, so here's to finding a Vitamin D link or stem cell component that is going to be available sooner than 5 years!

Interesting news. I strongly believe low vit. D levels have a key role in the development and treament of MS. I have been low to very low in vitamin D ever since I had it first checked several years ago. My legs were collapsing when I stood. I was given the standard booster dose (50,000iu) 1 for 4 weeks. Total improvement and back up to 30.

Drs. vary in their knowledge of normal vit. D.levels Most feel 30 and above is normal I've been found to be as low as 12. My levels keep dropping over the year. So I've researched who is the expert in vit D research. He is Dr. Michael Holick here in my backyard at Boston Medical Center. I plan to see him.

Here is a link if you would like to read more about his research. I'm pretty sure he knows what enzyme is involved!

http://www.bmc.org/about/news/featurestories-vitamin-d.htm

The Archives of Neurology actually had an article stating that low levels of vit D can trigger an exacerbation.

I recommend to everyone they talk to your Dr. about getting their levels checked. It protects against certain cancers too.

OK. Thats the end of my speech on vit D!

Melanie

Thanks mjideas. How exciting that you get to see him. Please share anything and everything about your appt when you get one. I read the article you linked to. I've been taking vit D for the past 7 or 8 years and get my levels checked every 6 months.

I'd never known exactly what rickets was.

It is still theory and conjecture which is very inconclusive. I am someone that mathematically should not have this disease but I do. I am not in the three major demographics since I am male, I have lived the South all of my life (San Antonio Texas), and I am not white; I am Hispanic.

However, it is this elusive nature that rules out many of the premises since there are still plenty of individuals who defy the demographics and have this disease.

I am one that thinks there are a few different subsets of this disease.

Having said that, a low enzyme needed to make D3 (in skin with UV-B rays) may be an issue for some but there is more to it. Look at some of these people out here with low D3. They then are put on HIGH levels of D3 for months and then tested. In some cases the D3 is still really low. Or it is higher then when tested a few months later their numbers bottom out again. D3 is FAT soluble which means numbers should reduce gradually not bottom out so quickly. These issues seem to point to some with MS having at least the issue of STORAGE of D3.

I am glad they are doing this research and hope for more. As D3 creation/storage issues seem to be involved with colon cancer, breast cancer, MS and RA.

Thanks for this update,
EP

I have been taking vitamin D3 with calcium for at least a year. I also eat a lot of yogurt. Not sure if it has changed anything with the MS, but I must say my nails have never looked better!