The Sun, Vitamin D & Metabolism

Spring, vitamin D & energy metabolism We have officially entered spring and the days are once again getting noticeably longer. The seeds in the ground are waking from dormancy and are finally making their way through the surface of the soil signaling new beginnings. Although we humans do not hibernate in the literal sense of the word, many of us certainly tend to somewhat withdraw from social engagements and cozy up in our houses during much of the cold and wet winter months. Come March and April, our bodies and souls are yearning for the light and feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin again.

ARTICLE Apr 10, 2024 85 Add to Reading List

Sun and vitamin D

Staying on the topic of sun on our skin, in the nutrition world we tend to associate the sun mostly with the production of vitamin D. During exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin absorbs UV B radiation and is converted to pre-vitamin D3 which in turn isomerizes into vitamin D3. Vitamin D is metabolized sequentially in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D which is a major circulating form and in the kidney to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D which is the biologically active form respectively. Since we have more than 1000 vitamin D dependent genes, vitamin D deficiency can have widespread and dire consequences for our health. As per nature’s design, sunlight is the best way to obtain vitamin D, so it is not strange that in the Northern hemisphere we are at high risk of becoming vitamin D deficient, especially during the darker months of the winter. However, we should not reserve vitamin D conversation to the winter only. The arrival of spring and summer is not always enough to sufficiently top up vitamin D for everyone. Firstly, the weather in Britain is unpredictable and does not always invite daily outdoor activities. Secondly, regardless of sunshine, many people still spend their time working inside and do not achieve sufficient skin exposure to the sun to make enough vitamin D. Finally, certain groups of people such as the elderly or those in hospitals, institutions or prisons, are also at high risk of deficiency even in the summer.

Sunscreen and vitamin D

To top it up, in recent years we have been bombarded with information on the importance of using sunscreen to protect ourselves against aging and various types of skin cancers. Unfortunately, sunscreen application with factor eight or above substantially decreases the production of vitamin D. We do therefore need a little sun on our skin before applying the (natural) sunscreen giving us enough time to make vitamin D. How long we need to be in the sun without sunscreen depends on our skin tone and geographical location. In Britain it varies between 13 minutes in midday sun (Caucasians) to 3 hours (those with darker skin tones). It is important not to burn, so each individual must take into account their sun tolerance.

Sun, cancer and antioxidants

Back to the darker side of the sun, then there is no doubt that solar UV radiation results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin, such as singlet oxygen, peroxy radicals, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radicals that damage DNA and other cellular targets. It is well known that ROS are associated with skin cancers, cutaneous photoaging and many other cutaneous inflammatory disorders. So how did our ancestors, who had no access to sunscreen, survive the sun without developing skin cancer? Since the sun has always been around and skin cancer rates have only soared in recent years one may speculate that our modern lifestyle/environment has something to do with it.

The skin possesses a wide range of interlinked antioxidant defence mechanisms to protect itself from damage. The cutaneous antioxidant system consists of enzymatic and non-enzymatic substances. Among enzymatic antioxidants are glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Non-enzymatic antioxidants also contribute to the maintenance of cellular redox balance such as oestradiol, melatonin and certain vitamins, such as E and C. It is when the antioxidant capacity is overwhelmed, we are at highest risk of tissue damage. Might it be that our modern diets high in processed foods and linoleic acid and our exposure to environmental toxins such as herbicides, pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and various nanoparticles, has outstripped our protective antioxidant capacity in the skin? Hence, aside from ensuring to eat a wholesome diet high in antioxidants with moderate intake of linoleic acid, it may also be interesting to check our antioxidant status before venturing into the sun, especially if we are prone to burning, and if needed, add supplementary antioxidants to our regime.

Mitochondria and the sun

Vitamin D production is not the only reason we hunger for the sun. The sun beams a full spectrum of different light wavelengths and especially the near infrared light is a source of mitochondrial energy. Thus, the sun literally influences our ATP production and metabolism. Briefly, when the cells are exposed to the near infrared of sunlight, the near infrared photons penetrate our cells and reach our mitochondria. Cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) in the electron transportation chain of mitochondria (mitochondrial complex IV) is the primary photoreceptor. Studies have found near infrared wavelengths enhance the electron transport chain activity leading to improved mitochondrial membrane potential (and also significantly reduces inflammation). Near infrared light exposure can also increase mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, exposure to near infrared light is a highly effective way to improve mitochondrial function and numbers and with our energy. No, wonder we feel energised in the sun. If the sun (or near infrared sauna) is not bringing the desired shift in energy coming out of winter, we can check in on our mitochondrial health using mitochondrial testing.

The deeper dive - hypo-metabolism

For some individuals, especially those suffering from CFS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic or Post Lyme disease, and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), improving energy is not as simple as getting a bit of sun light. Many of these individuals suffer with so-called molecular hypometabolism (MHM), as coined by Dr. James Ryan in 2016. MHM is characterised by the simultaneous suppression of mRNA subunits, mRNA nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (including ATP synthases), electron transport chain genes and translocases. The recent addition of transcriptomic testing in such individuals has allowed us to gain insight into these processes. According to Dr Shoemaker, MD and pioneer in biotoxin illness, not only is there a commonality in the complexity and near universality of responses of inflammatory genes and genes regulating coagulation, but also a relationship of suppression of production of ribosomal mRNA and nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes to multiple facets of glucose metabolism, especially aerobic glycolysis, which can lead to neuronal injury, including cognitive impairment and pulmonary hypertension. These transcriptomic findings support observations also from the field of clinical psychoneuroimmunology that the host immune response, once initiated can become the disease itself. Ongoing maladapted adaptive responses to immune and metabolic triggers underlie many of these cases.

At Colab Services we offer a number of tests to help you understand more about your or your client’s vitamin D levels, antioxidant status, mitochondrial health and we provide highly specialised transcriptomic testing which can help reveal hypometabolism and other metabolic changes.

Examples of relevant testing options with Colab Services

Vitamin D.

Biomarker:

Q92888 Vitamin D

Antioxidant testing.

Biomarker:

Q38813 Glutathione

Panels.

IG615 GST Profile (Glutathione & S Transferase Study)

IG616 SODase activity & Gene

LM5545 Nutrients: Mineral Panel

BV101 Nutrients Key Vitamin Panel