Forum

MS vitamin D and the next generation

Everyday living
#1

Hi everyone

 I've been pondering this for a while. Do you not think that the government should include in it's health education programme, the fact that if children do not get enough sun light and stay in doors playing with game machines and computers too much they could end up with diseases such as MS and R/arthritis. Or perhaps all of our children should have vitamin d included in their foods (as has been suggested for Scotland). I do not live in Scotland but Kent in the SE of England and as far as I remember had quite a bit of sunshine in my youth and played outdoors, such was common in the 1960s. We have quite a lot of MS in my small town by the way. I belive it this is true, rather than looking for cures we should also be trying to prevent these diseases.

Happy Christmas,

Wendy

x

 

#2

Hi,

I'm one of those people that think kids should spend more time outside in the sunshine when they can. It would be a lot cheaper and easier than supplementing with D3, which is why I don't think the government will ever go for it. However, we live in a world where technology can't be avoided and things like computer games are very addictive - trying to prize our boys away from the TV, computer, Wii or DSs usually results in them getting bad tempered. Also, I come from the slip-slap-slop generation. My Mum plastered me in suncream everytime I went out because she thought it was the right thing to do. I send my boys out in the hot sun for a while without suncream on - I'm sure other Mums frown upon me for it.

Everything I read on MS suggests to treat it holisticly involves a diet change, exercise, sunshine and meditation. I think all 4 aspects are equally important.

Heather

#3

Hi Heather, I grew up in the 50's. There was no such thing as sun cream and nobody thought the sun could be dangerous. We played out in it all the time. In fact in the summer holidays we were told to get out after breakfast... and stay out! That sounds harsh but actually all the kids we knew stayed out all day. We practically lived outside all summer.

So while I totally agree with you on sunshine, diet etc I also think that in our northern hemisphere we simply do not get enough sun to provide the levels of vitimin D we need and even a good diet doesn't provide enough... and realistically many working class people in the UK do not eat a good diet.

Pat x

#4

Completely agree Pat.

I was outside all the time growing up, but in Glasgow the weather was more likely to be overcast than sunny.

Very disappointed that the Scottish government aren’t being more proactive.

Karen x

#5

Reading your post I must say you were correct to send your boys into the sun without sunscreen occasionally, I was told by a professor at an MS research meeting that he does this with his own little daughter, before his wife slaps on the sun cream. I do agree that the other things are important but life seems to be moving away from simple things, in favour of things that cost money. Except that some of the diets that are suggested to us, well you’d have to be quite well off and have plenty of time and energy to keep to them.

Love Wendy

x

#6

Hi Pat

Then perhaps we should lobby the government to give children some sort of vitamin d supplement, as someone mentioned they have done this in some areas of the country where rickets has occured.

Wendy

x

#7

I was hardly ever sunscreened as a child. I really think it’s something to do with when you are born and how much sunshine your mum got as she was pregnant with you. I read somewhere recently that most people with MS will be born between April and July. Do u think this is true? Suz xx

#8

Not heard that theory before but interestingly enough I was born in May.

#9

Yes we’ve had this debate before, I was born in a very cold December 1955, which followed an extrememly hot summer, I did wonder if mum kept out of the sun as it was so hot. I tended to do this with daughter who was born in 1983 but she has no signs of MS as yet thank goodness.

Wendy

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#10

Hello Wendy,

               I am getting more and more confused with all things to do with sunshine & MS. As a child I was always on the fields and only went in when the sun did. The month of my birthday is November, so that doesn't fit in either. My mum also had a lot of sunshine as she used to enjoy skiing. When I was first diagnosed the doctors at the hospital told me that the 'reason' for my MS was either because I have too many amalgam fillings (I have none) or I have a diet too high in animal fats (I was (& still am) a vegetarian). And so this confusion lives on. I can only think that there is a gene in the MS body that prevents us from absorbing something that is very important for health.

              I hope that all have a great Christmas.

                                              Moira 

#11

You are correct there Moira, apparently from what I understand we do not absorb enough vitmin d in the winter months, that’s why I take D3 from Oct to spring time. Once the sun is out there’s no point in taking it as we get a lot more from the natural sunshine.

Merry Christmas

Love Wendy

x