Sunlight may be more than just good for your mood. Research suggests that UV light could help treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. While boosting vitamin D levels is part of the benefit, scientists believe UV light can also reduce immune overreactions.
Kathy Reagan Young, a Virginia woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, experienced significant improvements after using a UV “light box” for daily sessions. Her fatigue decreased, brain fog lifted, and her disease activity score declined dramatically – a positive change that has remained steady for over a year.
Researchers are exploring why sun-deprived regions tend to see more autoimmune cases. Molecules in the skin respond to UV exposure, potentially triggering immune-calming effects throughout the body.
While experts caution against overselling the benefits of UV light therapy, MS researcher Annette Langer-Gould notes that it holds promise. Larger studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness, but the findings offer new hope for those battling conditions with limited treatment options.
Source: https://www.newser.com/story/369655/new-hope-on-autoimmune-diseases-sunlight.html