Vit D linked to cancer, autoimmune disease genes

By Kate Kelland

LONDON | Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:00pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found that vitamin D influences more than 200 genes, including ones related to cancer and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis -- a discovery that shows how serious vitamin D deficiency can be. Rest of the article is here.

My Analysis: According to this article, those folks with RA,MS, diabetes, and other immune deficiency type diseases are also deficient in Vit. D. I am not sure how Vit. D helps the system of already diagnosed patients after reading this article (other than it helps prevent susceptibility to those diseases), but I do know that my doctors are now checking my Vit C & D levels. I do know that these vitamins are important for our good health.

Sounds like we need to take those vitamins.

Corticosteroid Benefits Without Side Effects

Researchers work toward pill to replace corticosteroids like Prednisone.
By Mary Anne Dunkin

The article can be found at Arthritis Today.

My Analysis: I do have side-effects from prednisone (corticosteroids) as do most of the patients with Vasculitis who have to use this medicine regularly. It would be great if a new med that would do the same thing with less side-effects was developed. I dream of a day when I didn't have that round face and belly of a pred user. ;-)