Sunshine Is Even More Essential During Shorter Days

This chart clearly shows that when vitamin D levels
are low, influenza rates are high.
Source: Influenza, solar radiation and vitamin D

When it comes to the importance of sunshine, the science is quite clear.  Many people get ill during this time of the year mainly because the days are getting shorter, resulting in less sun exposure.  This is why there's a consistent "wave" of viral infections every year at this time.  Most people by now are aware of the importance of vitamin D for respiratory infections, including the flu and covid-19, but being exposed to the sun plays an important role in many physiological pathways and many different diseases in our bodies.  A 13-year study from 2014 concluded that "vitamin D status is associated with a range of important health outcomes, including respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, fractures, and total mortality."  Another study of pregnant woman also found reduced risk of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and complications of pregnancy.  They also noted that the best time to absorb the essential ultraviolet B rays is "when the sun his high enough that one's shadow is shorter than one's height." Many studies have also clearly shown that low vitamin D levels play a strong role with those that develop severe flu or covid, with a recent review of 28 studies that "provide observational findings that vitamin D levels are related to the incidence, severity, and mortality rate of covid-19 infection."  It's also important to note that the medical treatment of covid often includes cortisone (or corticosteroids), which depletes the body of vitamin D, along with many other side effects.  Furthermore, sunshine plays a metabolic role in many other functions in the body beyond vitamin D.  Regular exposure to the sun will even improve the function of the nervous system, with studies showing a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, and will also likely help you to hold your adjustment more effectively.  Make sure you get your daily dose of midday sunshine, so you can make winter work for you.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

Source:  Your Choice Primary Care

For more information:

• Vitamin D and Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials 
• Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  
• The possible roles of solar ultraviolet-B radiation and vitamin D in reducing case-fatality rates from the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic in the United States
  
• On the epidemiology of influenza
  
• Epidemic influenza and vitamin D
  
• The seasonality of pandemic and non-pandemic influenzas: the roles of solar radiation and vitamin D.
  
• Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe A influenza because they have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels
  
• Cord blood vitamin D deficiency is associated with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.
  
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, mortality, and incident cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancers, and fractures: a 13-y prospective population study
  
• Cord blood 25(OH)D levels and the subsequent risk of lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood: the Ulm birth cohort
  
• COVID-19 and Vitamin D- a Systematic Review
  
• The Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and Severity in Illness in COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
  
• Efficacy and Safety of Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent COVID-19 in Frontline Healthcare Workers. A Randomized Clinical Trial
  
• Vitamin D-independent benefits of safe sunlight exposure
  
• Vitamin D and Sunlight Exposure in Newly-Diagnosed Parkinson’s Disease
  
• Why You Should Become a Sun Worshipper
  
• Why Sunlight Is Actually Good For You
  
• Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health