People with chronic renal insufficiency often suffer from secondary conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes Bone metabolism can also be affected because kidneys are involved in ensuring sufficiently high levels of vitamin D in the blood. This poses an additional risk factor because vitamin D deficiency is linked to a higher mortality rate in kidney patients, as is the case in the population as a whole.
Scientists under Rolfdieter Krause have been investigating the influence of UV light similar to the sun on vitamin D levels in people with chronic kidney insufficiency as well as dialysis patients.
They observed the effects that regular exposure of part or the whole of the body to UV light had on the level of vitamin D and common secondary conditions.
The scientists discovered that regular exposure of the whole body to sunlight increased vitamin D levels by up to 65 per cent. At the same time high blood pressure and the physical capabilities of patients improved. Consequently these scientists recommend regular exposure to sunlight or UV light similar to sunlight both as prevention as well as therapy for patients with chronic kidney diseases.
“Kidney patients in particular, who often suffer from a lack of vitamin D, can benefit from the positive effects of UV light. And without any appreciable side effects, as proved by the study. Because taking dietary supplements can place an extra strain on the kidneys. If solar radiation is insufficient in northern latitudes during winter, therapy with UV light may prove useful” explains Ad Brand, spokesman for the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF).
The Sunlight Research Forum (SRF) is a non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands. The SRF works to communicate new medical and scientific research into the effects of moderate UV exposure on humans.
For more information, visit www.sunlightresearchforum.eu
Source: 1. Rolfdieter Krause: Vitamin D and UV exposure in chronic kidney disease, Dermatoendocrinol. Jan 1, 2013; 5(1): 109–116.
