Sunny holiday in Greece could boost immune system
By Nick Farrington-Darby
Travel Advice (Published: 10 March 2010)
Summer holidays in Greece could in fact be good for the health, with new research revealing that sunshine can improve the immune system.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that vitamin D, produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight, is crucial for activating the immune defences.
Without a sufficient intake of the sunshine vitamin, the "killer cells" of the immune system, the T cells, are not able to fight off infections, according to the study.
Professor Carsten Geisler, who was involved in the study, said: "We have discovered that the first stage in the activation of a T cell involves vitamin D.
"If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won't even begin to mobilise."
Scientists have long known that the vitamin is important for calcium absorption and has been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, said Professor Geisler.
"But what we didn't realize is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system - which we know now."
A separate study by the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory also highlighted the benefits of sunshine, stating that modest sun exposure gives "enormous" vitamin D benefits, reports news-medical.net.
Other news items in the category "Travel Advice"
'Learn the language' before a holiday in GreecePeople in Loughborough who are planning a holiday in Greece may be interested to hear a new language centre has opened in the area
Published on 24 February 2011
Older travellers 'like adventure'
Holidays in Greece could be the ideal destination for over-50s looking for a peaceful break.
Published on 23 February 2011
Now is the 'perfect time for a Greek island holiday'
Now is the ideal time for people to go on a Greek island holiday, according to one expert
Published on 18 September 2010
'Avoid credit card charges' while on holiday in Greece
People preparing for their Greek island holiday have been advised to shop around for the best credit card deals
Published on 16 September 2010
'Simple measures' can prevent illness on holiday in Greece
People on holiday in Greece may be encouraged to take sun cream after one writer claimed simple measures such as this can prevent illnesses while on vacation
Published on 14 September 2010
top of page
