As many will know, although Asthma and COPD are different diseases, what helps with one will often help with the other. Also, a number of Asthmatics have Asthma / COPD overlap syndrome.
The link I’ve included below leads to an Article that discusses Vitamin D in the context of COPD, but will likely also have relevance for Asthma Suffers.
I also saw an interesting Article a while back on Medical News Today, discussing Vitamin D in the context of another serious respiratory disease called Interstitial Lung Disease. I mention this because Vitamin D benefits are now being discussed in the context of three different lung diseases (Asthma, COPD and Interstitial Lung Disease) coincidence, unlikely.
By the way, the article linked to below is interrupted in places by ad boxes that can give the impression that the article finishes at that point, whereas scrolling down you find that the article continues.
I have a feeling there’s more to the time of day than that. For example, in the U.K. the sun doesn’t get high enough for UVB rays (which are needed to create vit D) between the months of October and end of March.
The time of day is accurate, but yes it needs to be the right time of year and obviously not an overcast day.
Bodies can only make 10000iu each day, so we're supposed to get good exposure throughout summer months in preparation for the winter months. We're intelligently designed but difficulties arise when we stay indoors too long and even during summer and therefore levels deplete.
Tanning is not a problem, that's a slow gradual process, but burning is. You must get out before burning. So ultimately that's why uncovering the largest area of skin possible so that maximum absorption can be reached. Flip over and do both sides. Get it every chance you can with the heaviest focus in the warmest months.
If a person is very dark skinned they may still struggle to obtain enough exposure, so supplementing would be beneficial and if one feels a flu trying to start, that can be a good time to supplement. A larger dose at this time can be helpful to reach the 10000iu, but studies often suggest lower amounts are received more readily.... So more research is needed. That's why the most natural way is best... And downright therapeutic for you're entire system. It changes my whole world when I've MADE the time.
Skin colour is a very important factor. As someone who is fair skinned in the summer months I need about seven minutes on each side (and on some days as little as five) to get enough if I’m out after 11 am in June/July/August with quite a bit of skin exposed (about the amount of time it takes me to hang up the washing:-)). The body can only make so much each day, so there should never be any risk of burning by trying to get enough vit D from sun exposure. Nor do you need to do it every day.
The reason I mentioned the timing is because, as I understand it, the sun has to be at a particular height for the UVB rays to reach us (which is why in the U.K. we don’t get enough of them during the winter months - it’s all to do with the tilt of the Earth in relation to the sun and the latitude of the U.K.). But even in the summer months the sun has to get high enough in the sky.
Yes in this new way of thinking they weren't looking for UVB for D, they were looking at a host of immune system improvements by the certain wavelength activating things within the body like what's obtained from spirulina, chlorophyll etc, they're saying it reduces tumor growth etc. I didn't dig in too far, science will catch up over time, I just started enjoying those rays in Australia where it's a lot more pleasant that time of day and won't scorch my butt off like midday will. Yes certainly time of year and country also must factor in as you say.
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Rachel
Asthma with fixed airways?
Asthma deaths in England and Wales 'highest in a decade' BBC article
