Research Review: Sunshine Can Prevent Against Arthritis

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog brought this excellent study to our attention via her twitter feed this week.  Researchers at Harvard Medical School, here in Boston, have found a link between sunlight exposure and a decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. 

"Researchers at Harvard Medical School followed two groups of more than 100,000 women. The first were monitored from 1976 onwards, the second from 1989. 

Their health was then compared with estimates of the levels of UV-B radiation they were exposed to, based on where they live. 

In the 1976 group, those in the sunniest parts of the US getting the highest levels of sunshine were 21% less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those getting the least UV radiation." (read full BBC article here)

There was not a noticeable change in the 1989 group; the researchers hypothesize that increased use of sunblock and other "sun protective behaviors" may have have effected that group.

It seems that the Vitamin D that we make when exposed to sunlight may be vital in protecting against the disease. Adequate levels of Vitamin D have already been linked to reducing risk of many other immune system disorders. Individuals living in climates that do not lend themselves to daily moderate sun exposure can supplement their Vitamin D intake to maintain normal levels.

The researchers maintain that laying out in the sun all day long isn't advisable because of the increased risk of burns and skin cancer.

What you're looking for is moderation. Get some sun, not too much. Sounds reasonable to us!

Labels: arthritis, dog, dun, harvard, low, research, rheumatoid, study, sun, sunlight, sunshine, tieraona, vitamin D