Through the years I have blogged repeatedly on the importance of vitamin D to our immunity, and actually all aspects of our health. Today I read some interesting research out of Georgetown University Medical Center that suggests another powerful benefit of getting some sunlight on your skin – totally separate from vitamin D yet still related to our immune systems.
The researchers are talking about “blue light”. In fact, some of the positive attributes of vitamin D may actually be due to the helpful activity stimulated by this particular band of sunlight.
Apparently blue light actually makes your T cells move faster. The cells themselves literally respond to the light. In order to work, T cells need to move. Their job is to get to the site of an infection as quickly as possible, like you’re body’s own ambulance service. Sunlight increases how fast your T cell ambulances get to the scene of the accident!
Technically speaking, sunlight helps to create hydrogen peroxide in T cells, and that hydrogen peroxide is what makes them move, like gasoline for the ambulance.
Interestingly, stimulating vitamin D through the skin requires UV light, too much of which can promote skin cancer, however it seems this blue light is very safe. Of course the next step is to determine how much blue light might be most effective in a therapeutic situation and possibly apply that through blue light lamps to increase immunity and health.
Those of us familiar with alternative therapies are no strangers to various light therapies. I love to see scientific research supporting the practices that many of us have embraced decades ago.
As winter is upon us it may become much more difficult to spend time in the sunshine, although most of us realize the benefits. Supplementing with vitamin D is always an excellent choice, and also adding in vitamin K as support adds even more benefit. I’d like to encourage you to consider an outdoor activity with friends and family that will up your exposure to the blue in sunlight, and make some great memories as well.