The role of vitamin D in reducing the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes has received much attention recently. However, clinical trials could not prove benefits of vitamin D supplementation. That is why the scientists around Dr. Richard Weller, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, investigated whether UV rays and/or vitamin D modify the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The scientists found that overfed mice exposed to UV light slowed their weight gain and displayed fewer signs of diabetes, such as resistance to insuline and abnormal glucose level. Many of the benefits of UV light were not reproduced by vitamin D supplementation. The beneficial effects are linked to nitric oxide which is released by the skin after exposure to sunlight.
“Due to the fact that previous studies in humans have shown that UV induced nitric oxide in the skin plays a much more important role in our metabolism than was thought – it is likely that the results of this study can be translated to humans. If so – a healthy lifestyle including time outside in the sunshine could help prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes as well as treat metabolic syndrome. Thus, moderate sun exposure could save a huge amount of money, otherwise spent on pharmacological treatment”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Sources:
1) Sian Geldenhuys, Prue H. Hart, Raelene Endersby, Peter Jacoby, Martin Feelisch, Richard B. Weller: Ultraviolet Radiation Suppresses Obesity and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome Independently of Vitamin D in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Diabetes 2014;63:3759–3769 | DOI: 10.2337/db13-1675
2) Sansbury BE, Hill BG: Regulation of obesity and insulin resistance by nitric oxide. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Aug;73:383-99. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.05.016. Epub 2014 May 28
The scientists found that overfed mice exposed to UV light slowed their weight gain and displayed fewer signs of diabetes, such as resistance to insuline and abnormal glucose level. Many of the benefits of UV light were not reproduced by vitamin D supplementation. The beneficial effects are linked to nitric oxide which is released by the skin after exposure to sunlight.
“Due to the fact that previous studies in humans have shown that UV induced nitric oxide in the skin plays a much more important role in our metabolism than was thought – it is likely that the results of this study can be translated to humans. If so – a healthy lifestyle including time outside in the sunshine could help prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes as well as treat metabolic syndrome. Thus, moderate sun exposure could save a huge amount of money, otherwise spent on pharmacological treatment”, Ad Brand, spokesperson for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), explains.
Sources:
1) Sian Geldenhuys, Prue H. Hart, Raelene Endersby, Peter Jacoby, Martin Feelisch, Richard B. Weller: Ultraviolet Radiation Suppresses Obesity and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome Independently of Vitamin D in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Diabetes 2014;63:3759–3769 | DOI: 10.2337/db13-1675
2) Sansbury BE, Hill BG: Regulation of obesity and insulin resistance by nitric oxide. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Aug;73:383-99. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.05.016. Epub 2014 May 28
