Drinking milk during pregnancy may lower child's MS risk

Drinking milk during pregnancy may lower child's MS risk

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Wednesday, 10, Feb 2010 12:10

By Richard James.

Scientists have claimed women who drink milk during pregnancy may reduce their baby's chances of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as an adult.

In a new study, researchers found the risk of MS was significantly lower among women born to mothers with high milk or dietary vitamin D intake while pregnant.

Researchers questioned some 35,000 women about their experiences and diet during pregnancy as part of the report.

Commenting on the findings Fariba Mirzaei, from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said the risk of MS among daughters whose mother consumed four glasses of milk a day was 56 per cent lower than daughter whose mothers consumed less than three glasses per milk per month.

She added: "We also found the risk of MS among daughters whose mothers were in the top 20 percent of vitamin D intake during pregnancy was 45 percent lower than daughters whose mothers were in the bottom 20 percent for vitamin D intake during pregnancy.

"There is growing evidence that that vitamin D has an effect on MS. The results of this study suggest that this effect may begin in the womb."

The results of the preliminary study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd annual meeting in Toronto, Canada, in April.