As the weather continues to get warmer across the United States and people are more likely to spend time outside in the hot sun, a new study from the United Kingdom suggests that being outdoors could actually have a positive effect on individuals who suffer from asthma.
According to BBC News, a group of researchers from King's College London has begun examining the impact that vitamin D – which can be obtained through exposure to sunlight – has on asthma patients. The team found that vitamin D lowered the level of interleukin-17 – an infection-fighting part of the immune system that has been shown to worsen asthma symptoms when produced in larger amounts.
As a result of this finding, the researchers are conducting tests to see if asthma patients who are given vitamin D experience less distress from the chronic respiratory disease.
"For the majority of people with asthma, current available medicines are an effective way of managing the condition but we know that they don't work for everyone, which is why research into new treatments is vital," said Malayka Rahman, a research analysis and communications officer from Asthma U.K., a charity that helped fund the initial study. "We also know that many people with asthma have concerns about the side effects of their medicines so if vitamin D is shown to reduce the amount of medicines required, this would have an enormous impact on people's quality of life.
Of course, notes the source, too much exposure to the sun can lead to negative health effects. With this in mind, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your asthma symptoms. To ensure comfort inside your home, consider investing in a whole house air purifier, which keeps the air free of particles that can irritate your lungs.
