A new scientific discovery has revealed another benefit of sunlight for infection-fighting capabilities of the human body.
Sun exposure was shown to strengthen the immune system. It has always been known that sunlight allows humans to produce vitamin D. Scientific Reports published findings on how the largest organ of the body, the skin, fights off multitude of microbes and the importance of defender cells getting to where infection is taking place is very important.
Scientists from Georgetown University Medical Center conducted research on how blue light affected the immune system. T-cells obtained from both human blood and mouse cell cultures were exposed to blue light that is present in the sun's rays.
T-cells are a type of lymphocyte found in the blood. They are produced in the thymus gland and actively participate in the immune response and are vital in fighting off infections.
Molecular pathways were tracked and the researchers found that T-cells became more mobile when exposed to low levels of blue light. It was found that this reaction was due to the production of hydrogen peroxide. This compound is released by white blood cells in an event of an infection according to report from Science Daily.
According to Gerard Abhern, a senior researcher of the study, exposure to sunlight increases the movement of T-cells whether they be helper or killers thus enabling them to get to the site of infection faster.
Dr. Ahern also went on to state that there is much to understand about the significance of the findings. He suggested that although there is much to understand, it might be beneficial to offer patients blue light therapy to boost their immunity as was reported by Vitamin D Council.
Further research may prove the benefits of sunlight for infection-fighting and how medical practitioners may incorporate sunlight therapy in the treatment of certain ailments and how to best enhance the body's immune system.
