According to a story from cbc.ca, a recent study suggests that the benefits of summertime sun exposure may be more effective at preventing multiple sclerosis symptoms than previously understood. Prior research has highlighted the protective effect of UV-B rays against multiple sclerosis in childhood, but it appears that this benefit can continue into the adult years as well.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition characterized by the damage of the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the brain. The myelin sheath is an insulating, protective cover that is essential for neuron function. Without it, the ability of neurons to communicate is affected. This causes a variety of potentially debilitating symptoms, such as muscle weakness, poor coordination, fatigue, vision problems, loss of mobility, and mood instability. Canada is widely considered to have the highest prevalence of the condition anywhere in the world. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, click here.
The causes of multiple sclerosis are still shrouded in mystery. The study used data from the Nurses’ Health Study, based in Boston, MA. This is an extensive, long term investigation that measures environmental, hormonal, and dietary risk factors of chronic diseases that are known to affect women. With this data, the study found that being outdoors in the summer in general had a protective effect; absorbing direct sunlight was not a necessary requirement to achieve the protection. However, women who lived in the sunniest areas during their growing years tended have only half the risk when compared to other women.
Professor Helen Tremlett, one of the authors of the study, cautioned that sun exposure, while most likely beneficial to protect against multiple sclerosis, comes with it own risks, such as a greater likelihood of skin cancer. As a result, it is always important to moderate sun exposure and use sunscreen to prevent skin damage. It is valuable to note that the study’s results came from compiling previously available data, and was not a controlled study to test if UV-B rays directly protect against multiple sclerosis. Although the findings are significant, there is still more research to be done to thoroughly examine the benefits of sun exposure. It is also unclear if men experience the same benefit that women do.
