Presenting the results of vitamin D study

Today, Wednesday, Dr Jim Wilson from the Centre for Population Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, will present the first findings of the Northern Isles vitamin D study.

The work involved a survey of over 2,000 people in Orkney — the volunteers of the ORCADES study — and another 300 from Orkney and Shetland — the volunteers of the Northern Isles multiple sclerosis study — to measure the vitamin D levels in their blood.

The study set out to compare levels of the vitamin — the main source of which is sunlight — with samples from mainland Scotland, to see if they are better or worse in Orkney.

It also hopes to show if vitamin D levels are related to diseases such as high blood pressure and multiple sclerosis, and if there are relationships with other factors such as occupation.

The free talk is open to members of the public and will take place at 4pm in the Friends Room of the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.