Friday, June 8, 2012

Scots could benefit from vitamin D in the winter

A moderate dose of ultraviolet light during the winter months increases the levels of vitamin D in the blood and appears to put a brake on the T-cell arm of the immune system--which could reduce the severity of autoimmune disease, a new small-scale study on a group of Scottish patients has shown.

The research was led by Mark Vickers and Anthony Ormerod, a professor and clinical reader in dermatology, respectively, at the University of Aberdeen. It was reported in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The trial was conducted between December and March, 2012. Before and after exposing 24 subjects repeatedly to the equivalent of a quarter of a day's worth of summer sunlight, the scientists measured blood levels of vitamin D; the fraction of white blood cells comprised of "regulatory" T cells; and the degree to which T cells expanded their numbers when stimulated.

Regulatory T cells are a subset of T cells known to suppress the activity of other T cells. According to Wikipedia, "Mouse models have suggested that modulation of Tregs can treat autoimmune disease and cancer, and facilitate organ transplantation." Eczema with an allergic component qualifies as an autoimmune disease.

The scientists found that, after two weeks' exposure to UV, vitamin D levels increased by 50%; after four weeks, by 100%. The fraction of regulatory T cells increased threefold, and other classes of T cells reacted less vigorously to stimulation.

While I am always interested in the connection between vitamin D, T cells, and eczema--I wonder whether this study really tells us anything new. The American Academy of Dermatology says there is no safe recommended level of exposure to UV (because of the risk of skin cancer).
The connection between vitamin D and regulatory T cells appears to be well-established, according to a PubMed search I just did. And everyone knows that regulatory T cells suppress other T cells.

Having spent several years in the north of Scotland myself, I well know how little sunlight the Scots get in the winter. Were the subjects' vitamin D levels low to begin with? I bet they were. Could they benefit from supplements? Almost certainly.

Especially since, as I recall, the Scottish diet consists largely of chips, lager, and cigarettes!

4 comments:

  1. Don't believe dermatologists organizations! They are all paid by manufacturers of sun-screen cosmetics and skin-ailment medicines to scare you away from UV-light.
    Read more about the sun-scare here ...
    http://tanright.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, the ozone hole is a hoax and UV doesn't cause melanoma! And the Australian College of Dermatologists is taking payoffs from textile manufacturers who want to sell hats and long-sleeved shirts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There also are indirect benefits of vitamin D, such as the ability of the body to produce healthy bones and teeth as a result of good absorption of calcium and phosphorous, which are involved in other vital functions and processes as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'M TOTALLY FREE FROM HERPES VIRUS

    Herpes is a serious and recurring condition that cannot be cured by drugs or injections by DR JAMES , but the best way to fight against herpes virus is to take natural herbal remedies, I red about DR JAMES, the great herbalist who cures people of HIV virus with his powerful herbal medicine. I contacted him to find out how he could help me and he told me never to be afraid that he would help me with the natural herbs medicine! After 2 days of contacting him he told me the medicine is ready and he sent it to me via DHL COURIER SERVICE and it got me in 3 days! I used the medication as he prescribed for me (MORNING and EVENING) and I was cured! It's really like a dream, but I'm so happy! For people suffering from the following diseases Herbal cream for Eczema,vaginal dermatitis,Shingles,MS,Bullous Pemphigoid,Diabetes, cancer,Pcos, hypothyroidism,malasma,vaginal rashes, Herpes, COPD, HIV, arthritis, Hpv, liver disease, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson's disease, Lupus and more should contact him for his herbal medicine, because I am a living witness and I was cured of herpes virus. and DR James medicine is legitimate. I sent him what he asked for and he sent me his medication which I took for 2 weeks and today I am here with a negative result. When I went for the test, I was so happy after I took his herbal mix medicine.CONTACT DR JAMES FOR A PERMANENT CURE Email: drjamesherbalmix@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete