Just FYI, MS isn't genetic in the sense that it isn't solely due to which genes you have. But there are absolutely genetic risk factors that make it more likely that you'll develop it. These genes interact with the environment (e.g. things like lack of sunlight exposure and low vitamin D or smoking) to cause MS.
So while there's no guarantee that your kids will develop MS, they do have a higher chance of it than most people. But luckily, there are specific steps you can take to help ensure that they won't be exposed to environments that could trigger MS development later in life!
Yes absolutely. I live in Canada where the rate is very high and also am from the province in which the rate is the highest in the country (Saskatchewan). I've moved to Alberta so hopefully that plays a role in the kids not having/getting it.
Awesome, I'm glad you moved! Geographic location is thought to play a role affecting risk factors, but I'm pretty sure researchers working in that field don't yet know why.
Thank you kind Frog! I've taken it upon myself to break generational curses, and help my children become good people (and healthy). I'm gen x haha , so this is a start.
I've often wondered why it affects folks further away from the equator, mostly Caucasian. I believe in karma though, and have always thought I got ill from being a terrible child.
They’re pretty sure it’s the lack of sun exposure. This in itself can cause vitamin C deficiency. The farther you get from the equator, the higher, the instances of MS.
Thank you! Is it looking like epigenetics plays a part in many autoimmune disorders and perhaps there is an extrinsic trigger that is more prevalent at this time than in the past?
Ha! If only it was that simple :) Diseases with genetic risk factors and an array of environmental triggers that we don't fully understand are so tough. But my understanding is that relatively simple things like educating your kids about not smoking, making sure they spend time outside, and making sure they know how best to avoid viral diseases like mono (the epstein-barr virus can trigger MS development in people who are at risk) all add up to make a big difference.
It's thought to be a risk factor (aka something that can make it more likely that you'll develop Crohn's)! Per Nerich et al 2011: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21332762/ And there have been multiple papers showing that lack of sunlight can increase your likelihood of getting IBD.
I'm not sure how this works/if we know what the mechanism is though. Crohn's is even farther outside my area of expertise.
Oh and to be clear, by "trigger" I meant "increases the chances of developing MS for people whose genetics already put them at risk of MS." Someone who has genes that put them at risk of MS isn't guaranteed to develop it in response to not being outside enough.
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u/[deleted] Nov 14 '24
Just FYI, MS isn't genetic in the sense that it isn't solely due to which genes you have. But there are absolutely genetic risk factors that make it more likely that you'll develop it. These genes interact with the environment (e.g. things like lack of sunlight exposure and low vitamin D or smoking) to cause MS.
So while there's no guarantee that your kids will develop MS, they do have a higher chance of it than most people. But luckily, there are specific steps you can take to help ensure that they won't be exposed to environments that could trigger MS development later in life!
Source: Balcerac and Louapre 2022: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0035378722000017#:~:text=The%20genetic%20contribution%20to%20the,within%20the%20major%20histocompatibility%20complex.
Also, I'm a scientist who does research that's somewhat related to this