Too little sunshine as well as a vitamin D deficit can increase the risk of contracting multiple sclerosis (MS). Frequent symptoms of MS include depression, anxiety, fatigue and perception disorders. However, these cannot be treated with vitamin D tablets. An Australian study has proved that spending time in the sun, and not vitamin D, has a positive effect. A high level of vitamin D in the blood is simply an indicator that the person has spent sufficient time in the sun.
198 patients with MS took part in the study. The scientists studied the participants over an average period of 2.3 years. They measured the participants’ vitamin D level every six months and investigated the extent of depression, anxiety and fatigue experienced. Participants also reported on the length of time they spent sunbathing. It emerged that participants who spent longer in the sun suffered less from fatigue and depression. In contrast, it could not be ascertained that the level of vitamin D had any influence.
“Spending time in the sun has a relaxing and animating effect. In this case the effect is not associated with the level of vitamin D, which in many other studies is the cause of a positive development. Moderate exposure to the sun alone can have a positive effect on health, as proved by this study” as Ad Brand, spokesman for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Source:
Higher levels of reported sun exposure, and not vitamin D status, are associated with less depressive symptoms and fatigue in multiple sclerosis
S. Knippenberg, J. Damoiseaux, Y. Bol, R. Hupperts, B. V. Taylor, A.-L. Ponsonby, T. Dwyer, S. Simpson, I. A. F. van der Mei
Article first published online: 13 JUN 2013 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12155
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
198 patients with MS took part in the study. The scientists studied the participants over an average period of 2.3 years. They measured the participants’ vitamin D level every six months and investigated the extent of depression, anxiety and fatigue experienced. Participants also reported on the length of time they spent sunbathing. It emerged that participants who spent longer in the sun suffered less from fatigue and depression. In contrast, it could not be ascertained that the level of vitamin D had any influence.
“Spending time in the sun has a relaxing and animating effect. In this case the effect is not associated with the level of vitamin D, which in many other studies is the cause of a positive development. Moderate exposure to the sun alone can have a positive effect on health, as proved by this study” as Ad Brand, spokesman for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Source:
Higher levels of reported sun exposure, and not vitamin D status, are associated with less depressive symptoms and fatigue in multiple sclerosis
S. Knippenberg, J. Damoiseaux, Y. Bol, R. Hupperts, B. V. Taylor, A.-L. Ponsonby, T. Dwyer, S. Simpson, I. A. F. van der Mei
Article first published online: 13 JUN 2013 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12155
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
