Lack of sun linked to chronic illness

A new study highlights the importance of getting adequate exposure to the sun to prevent many serious illnesses.

The study found that the deficiency of vitamin D, which is created in our bodies from exposure to the sun, is linked to over 200 genes, many of which are associated with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as leukemia and colorectal cancer.

"Our study shows quite dramatically the wide-ranging influence that vitamin D exerts over our health," said lead author Dr Andreas Heger from the MRC Functional Genomics Unit at Oxford University.

Using DNS sequencing technology, the study found the points at which vitamin D interacts with DNA and the genes it directly influences.

"There is now evidence supporting a role for vitamin D in susceptibility to a host of diseases. Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and the early years could have a beneficial effect on a child's health in later life. Some countries such as France have instituted this as a routine public health measure," said author Dr Sreeram Ramagopalan from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics.

One billion people worldwide are thought to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This is thought to be largely caused by lack of exposure to the sun, as well as a poor diet.

Vitamin D is generated by the body when it is exposed to sunlight. In fact, about 90 per cent of your vitamin D comes from sunshine, so experts recommend sensible sun exposure in the summer.

You might need as little as 30 minutes of sun twice a week, using no sunscreen. This would be enough to provide the body with adequate vitamin D. Alternative sources of vitamin D include oily fish, liver, eggs, butter and milk.

The results of the study are published today in the journal Genome Research.

This article was published on Tue 24 August 2010