Aussie Gen Y’ers have slipped, slopped, slapped all their lives, thanks to a very successful public\u00a0health campaign aimed at reducing skin cancer. Our pale generation, although less inclined\u00a0to melanomas, are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient, which is linked to diseases such as\u00a0osteoporosis. Not as widely noted is that lack of sun exposure in itself has been implicated in MS.<\/p>\n
In this month’s JNNP, Zivadinov et al.1 report that sun exposure may have direct effects on MRI\u00a0measures of neurodegeneration in MS, independent of vitamin D levels. Specifically, they found\u00a0that increased summer sun exposure was associated with increased grey matter volume and whole\u00a0brain volume.<\/p>\n
Why is this?<\/p>\n
Zivadinov’s group, from Buffalo, USA, postulate that this may be due to a possible immunomodulation\u00a0effect from sun exposure itself.<\/p>\n
It’s not the first study to have connected sunshine & immune diseases. Among others, an Australian\u00a0study2 demonstrated that greater UV induced skin damage and higher vitamin D levels were\u00a0associated with a decreased risk of the initial demyelinating event.<\/p>\n
So where does that leave us?<\/p>\n
Sun-bathing prescriptions – will you recommend your patients catch some rays? \u00a0 \u00a0How much is\u00a0enough?<\/p>\n
Do you encourage being SunSmart?<\/p>\n
Are vitamin D supplements on the menu for your patients with MS?<\/p>\n
Or do you feel the jury is still out on the links between the sun & immune mediated disease?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Would love to hear your thoughts and how you integrate these ideas into your day to day practice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1 – Zivadinov R, Treu CN, Weinstock-Guttman B, et al. Interdependence and contributions of sun\u00a0exposure and vitamin D to MRI measures in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry\u00a02013;84:1075-1081.\u00a0doi:10.1136\/jnnp-2012-304661<\/p>\n
2 – Lucas RM, Ponsonby AL, Dear K, et al. Sun exposure and vitamin D are independent risk factors\u00a0for CNS demyelination. Neurology 2011;76:540\u20138.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Aussie Gen Y’ers have slipped, slopped, slapped all their lives, thanks to a very successful public\u00a0health campaign aimed at reducing skin cancer. Our pale generation, although less inclined\u00a0to melanomas, are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient, which is linked to diseases such as\u00a0osteoporosis. Not as widely noted is that lack of sun exposure in […]<\/p>\n