Mar
09
A Walk in the Park May Stimulate Your Immune System
ByAah, sunshine. It has gotten such a bad rap in the past few years that that beautiful warm yellow orb has seemed more like an enemy than the smiling friend children often draw. Well, today I read some good news about sunshine, or at least about Vitamin D, that I’m eager to pass along to you. As it turns out, Vitamin D is vital in activating our human defenses.
Danish researchers found that the immune systems’ killer cells, known as T cells, rely on Vitamin D to become active. If Vitamin D is lacking in the blood, they remain dormant and unaware of the possibility of threat from an infection or pathogen. “When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or ‘antenna’ known as a Vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D,” said Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University’s department of international health, immunology and microbiology, who led the study. “This means the T cell must have Vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough Vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.” Scientists have known for a long time that Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, and that there is a link between levels of the vitamin and diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. But, what they hadn’t realized is how crucial Vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system. And, of course, most Vitamin D is made by the body as a natural by-product of the skin’s exposure to sunlight. Though it can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish like salmon, herring and mackerel (or taken as a supplement), I would suggest that whenever possible, add a walk outdoors as part of your health regime. For more on this study, go to: reuters.com
