Many Americans are already aware that taking daily vitamin supplements can help the body process food and replace old cells with new ones. However, researchers in the United Kingdom have announced that consuming adequate levels of vitamin D may reduce the likelihood of a developing a certain form of multiple sclerosis (MS).

A study published in the journal Neurology determined that having low levels of vitamin D and being exposed to mononucleosis – an Epstein-Barr virus variant commonly known as “mono” – can increase the risk of developing MS.

In the northern latitudes, where sunlight exposure is reduced, MS tends to be more common. In the new study, combining a regional analysis of cases of mono with a NASA map of yearly sunlight intensity accounted for more than 70 percent of all reported cases of MS in the UK.

“More research should be done on whether increasing UVB exposure or using vitamin D supplements and possible treatments or vaccines for the Epstein-Barr virus could lead to fewer cases of MS,” the team concluded.

For those who want to maintain good all-around health and wellness, dietary supplements may be a logical starting place.