Vitamin D in the general population of young adults with autism in the Faroe Islands. (2014)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24927807
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD (aged 15-24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons. There was a trend for males having lower 25(OH)D3 than females. Effects of age, month/season of birth, IQ, various subcategories of ASD and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule score were also investigated, however, no association was found. The very low 25(OH)D3 in the ASD group suggests some underlying pathogenic mechanism.
In 2004, SarahLonglands posted an excerpt from David Perlmutter (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/antibioti ... html#p4404):
In 2007, I posted (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... tml#p28441):The idea that multiple sclerosis may be caused by some form of infectious agent is supported by several interesting observations. On the Faroe Islands prior to 1920, MS was essentially unknown. Subsequent to the invasion of British troops, the incidence of MS increased dramatically. This would support the contention that MS, at least on the Faroe Islands, was caused by some infectious agent to which the native population had not been previously exposed.
Fatty fish is one of the few food sources of vitamin D; pilot whale blubber is likely also a food source."I saw a PBS program (Frontline) last week that featured the Faroe Islands and their tradition of hunting and eating pilot whales. Maybe the British troops stationed there during WWII introduced different foods that contributed to the arrival of MS on the islands (where the earlier diet discouraged it)."
to which Lyon (Bob) responded (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... tml#p28444) with a link to the Frontline video:
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/
Lyon commented (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... tml#p28440) that "African/Americans and American Indians are only recently experiencing MS." [He did not supply a source for this statement.] Lyon included the Sami, Eskimos [Inuit], Australian aborigines…
In 2009, Nick posted (http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... tml#p66124) excerpts from Ashton Embry's article, Multiple Sclerosis and Food Hypersensitivities (http://www.direct-ms.org/foodhypersensitivities.html)
One of the most interesting and widely quoted epidemiological studies of MS is that of the greatly increased prevalence of MS in the Faroe Islands (North Atlantic, west of Norway) following the occupation by 1500-2000 British troops between 1941 and 1944 (Kurtzke, 1977, 1980, 1995). Kurtzke has classified this increase as an epidemic although other authors have challenged this view (Benedikz et al., 1994, Poser et al. 1988). Regardless, there can be no doubt that MS prevalence substantially increased in the Faroes following the British occupation. Furthermore, the relationship between MS in the Faroe islanders and the presence of British soldiers is strongly supported by the fact the cases of MS all occurred in islanders who lived close to British bases (Kurtzke, 1980, fig. 15). This is an extremely important constraint because it demonstrates that the environmental factor is not solely indigenous and can transported from one area to another. Any interpretation of the cause of MS must satisfactorily explain the sudden increased prevalence in the Faroes and the mobility of the environmental factor.
I suspect that, under the influence of the British troops, the traditional Faroese diet changed, resulting in lower vitamin D food sources. In my opinion, both autism and MS may share the common denominator of vitamin D.