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The sun helps the intestines of the child

 
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Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
 
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20 September 2019, 09:00

Scientists claim that exposure to sunlight on a child within half an hour a day will reduce the risk of developing inflammatory processes in the children's intestines. This information was voiced by a team of experts led by Dr. Robin Lucas, representing the School of Medicine at Australian National University of Melbourne.

According to recent studies, only in the Australian territory about eight hundred thousand people constantly have problems with the intestines - in particular, not only intestinal disorders are recorded, but also Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In this case, the most common pathological signs are diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps and a general deterioration in well-being. Such symptoms adversely affect the quality of life of people, worsen their ability to work. This happens mainly because the immune defense stray from an adequate rhythm and directs its aggression to its own healthy tissues.

Previous experiments have allowed us to prove that the sun's rays have a beneficial effect on the body's immune defenses. In their new project, scientists had to determine what properties of sunlight are manifested in relation to intestinal diseases.

The new study involved volunteers - young schoolchildren. This contingent was chosen because in this environment there is confidence in the data obtained - for example, there is no need to take such data into account. Adverse factors for the digestive system, such as alcohol abuse or smoking. According to the results of observations, it was found that every ten minutes the participants were exposed to the sun, the risk of triggering inflammatory intestinal processes decreased by about 6%. And for half an hour of sunbathing, the risk of intestinal disease was reduced by about 20%.

Scientists point out that at the moment they can not accurately answer the question about the reasons for this relationship. Presumably, the beneficial effect in some way depends on the activation of the processes of vitamin D production in the body. Researchers also note that it did not matter what time the participants walked in the sun - it was morning, day or evening. And, despite the positive aspects of sunbathing, scientists do not advise completely ignoring the means of protection from ultraviolet radiation.

Earlier in the course of the experiments, it was found that regular walks in the sun help normalize blood pressure and reduce the risk of blood clots. The sun's rays do not just improve health: they prolong life by preventing the appearance of such complex pathologies as strokes and heart attacks.

A full description of the article is set out on the official pages of the university  www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/sunshine-may-decrease-risk-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease

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