Benefits of Sunlight Page Three

Bone diseases

These are the diseases that every medical student knows are connected with vitamin D deficiency.

Rickets - once thought to be conquered, is now re-appearing. Immigrant groups are particularly vulnerable, but so are children of mothers who breast feed for long periods because breast milk is generally deficient in vitamin D whereas bottle milk is supplemented. Sun avoidance through fear of skin cancer has also been blamed by Professor Nick Bishop of Sheffield University. Children with rickets have been found to be three times more likely than others to develop diabetes type 1.

Osteoporosis, osteomalacia - vitamin D deficiency has long been accepted as a classic risk factor for these diseases. A trial has recently shown that a very large vitamin D supplement (100,000 international units) given every four months will protect old people against fractures. Osteoarthritis has also been linked to D deficiency. Dental decay - Tooth decay is more severe in northern countries and in northern parts of the UK. Vitamin D reduces tooth decay in mice and rats. Vitamin D and calcium in pregnancy and early years when teeth are formed may be just as important as fluoride, tooth brushing and avoidance of too many sweet items, but somehow it has been forgotten.

Pain - nonspecific pain in muscles and skeleton, rheumatism, and low back pain, which are all very common in old people, may be the result of low vitamin D according to Gregory Plotnikoff of Minnesota Medical School (see Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2003;78:1463-1470).

Other diseases
Psoriasis - an unpleasant disease of the skin which is now treated with creams containing vitamin D or related substances and by exposure to sunlight or sunbeds.

Polycystic ovary disease - about one in five women of child bearing age suffer from this condition which causes abnormal periods, unwanted body hair and infertility. Seven of 14 women treated with vitamin D and calcium by Dr Susan Thys-Jacobs at St Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital recovered normal periods and two became pregnant. Dr Thys-Jacobs has also found that women with pre-menstrual syndrome including migraines are deficient in vitamin D and may respond to supplements plus calcium.

Infections - vitamin D enhances the activity of the immune system. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D protects against respiratory infections including pneumonia and tuberculosis. Could possibly protect against winter flu as well.

More.sunshine benefits....Page FOUR