Environmental Triggers

 

Most autoimmune reactions require exposure to environmental effects to trigger the disease. Evaluation of environmental effects have often been used in the past to determine how diseases develop. For example, diseases like malaria were associated with swampy areas which led to the understanding that mosquito bites could be responsible for the spread of these diseases.

 

 

MS geographical prevalence

 

It has been known for a long time that MS is geographically more prevalent in temperate zones that are lower in temperature away from the equator. Several explanations have been offered for this. One explanation is that more sunlight near the equator produces more vitamin D in the body inhibiting development of MS. The historical availability and consumption of milk is higher in temperate zones because of greater spoilage at higher temperatures. Recently MS has been increasing in prevalence towards the equator. There has been no preferential reduction in sunlight near the equator that could explain this. However, the advent of refrigerated and powdered milk has increased the availability and consumption of milk products near the equator. The worldwide prevalence of MS has been increasing. There has been no worldwide decrease in the availability of sunlight that could explain this. However, during the same time frame the worldwide consumption of milk has increased.

​

 

MS prevalence data quality

​

As little as 10 years ago reliable data on the worldwide prevalence was not available. This is because MS is difficult to diagnose. There are many diseases that produce similar symptoms. The “gold standard” for confirming multiple sclerosis is magnetic resonance imaging. Recent improvements in worldwide MS diagnosis and standardization of test procedures have greatly improved the quality of worldwide MS prevalence data. A study of worldwide MS prevalence compiled by country has recently been published.

​

​

Autoimmune antigens

​

Another autoimmune disease (celiac) is triggered by diet (gluten). It is reasonable to assume that MS could also be triggered by diet. A higher percentage of MS patients develop antigens (immune response to foreign objects) related to diet (gluten, gliaden, casein) than the general population. Casein proteins are present in milk. If casein antigens are detected at higher levels in MS patients it is reasonable to assume that butyrophilin levels will also be elevated. Both wheat and milk have entered the human diet in relatively recent historical times (with the advent of farming). It is reasonable to assume that human genetics / metabolism of certain societies and individuals may not have evolved to prevent adverse reactions to these new foods. This is clearly demonstrated by the existence of celiac and for milk by lactose intolerance and milk allergies.