So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round - TanToday

eileen · 16th October 2009, 03:16 PM

October 16, 2009 , 11:41 am
What Makes Flu Seasonal?
By Freakonomics
Just as flu season gathers force here in the northern hemisphere, it’s petering out in the southern half of the globe. No matter where you are, you’re more susceptible to the flu in the winter months. Even if, let’s say, some research physicians expose you to live flu virus in the middle of summer, you’re still less likely to get sick than if the same doctors hit you with the same virus in the dead of winter. Why? One big risk factor for flu infection is a lack of vitamin D. We naturally produce vitamin D when we’re exposed to sunlight, and as the days shorten in the winter, we produce less and less of it. That led these researchers to think that flu epidemics could be a sign of widespread vitamin D deficiency, due in part to decreased solar radiation. So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round. (HT: Jason Tetro)

Source Link: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/what-makes-flu-seasonal/

esun · 16th October 2009, 03:29 PM

Someone is putting 2+2 together?

P-Town · 24th October 2009, 05:06 PM

Wow, i just started working in a tanning salon a few weeks ago, and i had no idea how important Vitamin D was! Thanx Guys

16th October 2009, 03:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
eileen Hall of Famer Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,761	So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round October 16, 2009 , 11:41 am What Makes Flu Seasonal? By Freakonomics Just as flu season gathers force here in the northern hemisphere, it’s petering out in the southern half of the globe. No matter where you are, you’re more susceptible to the flu in the winter months. Even if, let’s say, some research physicians expose you to live flu virus in the middle of summer, you’re still less likely to get sick than if the same doctors hit you with the same virus in the dead of winter. Why? One big risk factor for flu infection is a lack of vitamin D. We naturally produce vitamin D when we’re exposed to sunlight, and as the days shorten in the winter, we produce less and less of it. That led these researchers to think that flu epidemics could be a sign of widespread vitamin D deficiency, due in part to decreased solar radiation. So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round. (HT: Jason Tetro) Source Link: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/what-makes-flu-seasonal/ __________________ *"under exposure to uv light is as dangerous as over exposure to uv light"* ......eileen

16th October 2009, 03:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
esun Hall of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,009	Re: So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round Someone is putting 2+2 together?

24th October 2009, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
P-Town Rookie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 22	Re: So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round Wow, i just started working in a tanning salon a few weeks ago, and i had no idea how important Vitamin D was! Thanx Guys __________________ I dream of a world where chickens can cross roads without thier motives questioned.

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