Posted on 10/31/2011 6:22:11 PM PDT by decimon
Investigators explore potential role of UV light exposure and vitamin D in Crohn's therapy
Washington, DC -- New research points to a potential role for UV light exposure and vitamin D levels in chronic digestive conditions; Crohn's disease, a serious inflammatory condition in the small intestine; and ulcerative colitis (UC), which similarly affects the colon. In two separate studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, a group of investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital probed the connection between geography, UV exposure and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease while another group from Weill Cornell Medical Center looked at different levels of supplementation with Vitamin D to determine impact on severity of Crohn's disease.
"Geographic Variations and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis"
Results from two large prospective studies among large cohorts of nurses enrolled in the U.S. Nurses Health Study I and II revealed a significant north-south gradient in the association between latitude and incidence of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the United States. Such geographic variation has been reported in Europe, however comparable data in the United States are lacking, so this study advances understanding of the epidemiology of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which affects as many as 1.4 million patients in the United States.
"This differential risk may be explained by differences in UV light exposure, vitamin D status, or pollution," explained Dr. Hamed Khalili, who, along Dr. Andrew Chan and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital, analyzed data that included a 4,209,454 person-year follow up in which they confirmed 284 cases of Crohn's disease and 332 cases of ulcerative colitis.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
Ping
correlation does not indicate causation. there could be a genetic component that varies by latitude. Ever notice blond hair gets rarer as you go towards the equator?
The solution for celiac is to never ingest wheat, barley or rye. The solution for Tropical spru is to relocate to an area without spru ~ usually further North.
Still, spru can be moderated with the administration of a number of anti-biotics. Cutting out wheat, barley and rye has only a modest benefit.
There is a latitude gradient involved in both conditions ~ probably not as pronounced as with the diseases discussed in these articles, but it's there.
MS has been linked to latitude as well.
He left out many other factors or conditions:
1. gravity which is stronger at the equator than at the poles
2. tides which vary at different latitudes
3. evaporative sweating which occurs more nearer the equator
3a. non-evaporative sweating which occurs in northen latitudes
4. large iron-magnetite magnetic deposits which are found not near the equator
5. uramium deposits which are found not near the equator
6. Mosquitos which tend to be found in greater numbers near the equator
7. the jet stream which tends not be near the equator
8. butterflies which get tend to get smaller north and south of the equator
9. lizards which occur more near the equator than at laitudes distances away north and south
10. turtles which tend to be larger near the equator whose inhabitants therein feast upon yea turtle soup, as opposed to those in northern and southern latitudes
11. interbreeding with blond-haired women which occurs more in European northern latitudes than anywhere else
12. palm trees, coconut trees [and their respective oils] which grow near the equator and cannot survive in the northern latitudes
Yes, article here the other day ~ and megadoses of D3 helps.
MS and spru are both genetic issues IIRC. So to me it seems pretty good odds the latitude variations in incidence are due to a nordic gene and not the actual geography itself.
He's the only one in his family to have the problem ~ but because antibiotics alleviate the symptoms the theory in Pakistan/India (a major tropical spru area) is that there's an unknown bacteria or virus that triggers it in susceptible individuals.
The fact D3 has effects in mega doses ~ (on other parts of the intestines) ~ is important.
Lack of sunlight at the northern latitudes has been mentioned as well.
In this day and age, almost nobody gets sunlight regardless of latitude. i don’t believe it
That's quite a far-reaching statement to say the least. I'm willing to bet you that many cubical drones in Las Vegas and Phoenix get more sunshine in a year than an outdoor worker on the shores of Lake Erie.
Not to mention variable consumption of hot peppers...
Maybe a young single part time cubicle drone. The rest? not likely.
Vitamin D3 also raises good cholesterol... probably a good investment for those with digestive disorders.
ms bump—what latitude does it start at?
40 degrees North.
Thanks decimon.
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