The February 4, 2013 edition of the Annals of Rheumatic Disease has a study examining the effect of sunshine on the risk of getting the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis RA). The researchers used data from the Nurses Health Study (NHS) and Nurses Health Study II (NHSII). Exposure to sunshine without sunscreen did result in a lower risk of getting RA. I found it interesting that the researchers were able to tease out that part of the reason was the increased levels of vitamin D, which has significant immune system effects. But that is not the whole story. They said part of the reason could be the sunshine or UVB exposure itself. Obviously people with very light skin don't have the option of exposure to sunshine without significantly increasing their risk for skin cancer. Small amounts of sun exposure, though, probably is protective for others. Of course, one can also take vitamin D as a supplement (take the D3 form).
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