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MS linked to vitamin D deficiency

A significant number of children diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) have low levels of vitamin D, say two teams of Canadian researchers, widening the links identified by previous studies between deficiencies of the so-called sunshine vitamin and diseases such as breast and colon cancer, heart troubles, diabetes and tuberculosis. In both Toronto-based studies, about 68 per cent of children diagnosed with MS, a severe disease of the nervous system, had low levels of vitamin D, which is made when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world, Reuters reports.

Red wine aids longevity

Resveratrol, a compound in red wine that has been linked to longevity, has shown potential in preliminary studies of mice with a degenerative disease similar to multiple sclerosis. University of Utah researchers say the mice gained weight during the first two weeks of treatment, but not after. Weight loss is often associated with neurological diseases. Meanwhile, Italian researchers have had some preliminary positive results in human trials of a new drug that stops the immune system attacking nerve cells. High doses effectively reduced the incidence of brain lesions and other problems associated with MS.

Damage limitation

Duke University researchers, partly funded by cosmetics firm SkinCeuticals-L'Oreal, say they've devised a cream containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid that protects the skin from sun damage and reduces cancer-associated mutations in cells. They say the cream would supplement sunscreens. The team previously found that C and E were each effective in boosting antioxidant protection, but even more effective when used together. Ferulic acid, a plant antioxidant, further enhances the effectiveness, Reuters reports.

Vitamin C jabs reduce blood pressure

Vitamin C injections may help lower high blood pressure by calming the central nervous system, say Italian researchers. The University of Pisa team says the study is the first time anyone has been able to ease blood pressure and other non-voluntary nervous system over activity by 'targeting oxidative stress'. None of the patients had previously been treated for high blood pressure, the cause of which was unknown; within 20 minutes of being injected, it fell by almost 7 per cent on average. The researchers say they don't know yet if the treatment would lower normal blood pressure or whether vitamin C tablets would work.

Bone density boost for men

High doses of vitamin C may help reduce the loss of bone density in elderly men - but not women, say US researchers, based on studies of more than 600 people over eight years who were in their mid-70s at the start. The effect was most notable in men getting 314mg of the vitamin daily from supplements and food - more than three times the recommended intake. The Tufts University team says vitamin C may be beneficial because it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, which takes calcium from the bones, WebMD reports.

Sick of loneliness

Being socially isolated may make you physically as well as metaphorically feel as if you've been left out in the cold, say Canadian researchers. 'We found that the experience of social exclusion literally feels cold,' says team leader Zhong Chenbo. In one test, participants were asked to remember either an incident when they'd been socially excluded or one when they had been included. They were then subsequently asked to estimate the room temperature. Those in the 'left out' group consistently guessed a lower temperature.