Less vitamin D and melatonin bad for multiple sclerosis
Studies untangle dark and light sides of immune disorder
Darkness and light may help prevent multiple sclerosis or fend off its symptoms.
People who genetically produce less vitamin D, a compound normally boosted by sun exposure, have a greater risk of multiple sclerosis, researchers find. But the hormone melatonin, which the body produces in response to darkness, may reduce flare-ups for people who have the disease, another team of scientists reports.
The studies may help researchers better understand and treat multiple sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system. It causes symptoms including muscle weakness, pain and vision loss in over 2 million people worldwide.