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# Sunshine makes you happy
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/sunshine_makes_you_happy_0617131011/
- Published: 2013-06-17T23:11:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:05:34.000Z
- Description: Among 198 multiple sclerosis patients followed about 2.3 years, those reporting more sun exposure had lower depression and fatigue scores. Higher serum vitamin D was also tied to less depression, but less strongly. Neither was linked to anxiety or cognitive scores.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Vitamins, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Monday June 17, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- Sunshine, but not relatively lower serum vitamin D makes multiple sclerosis (MS) patients happy, a study in Acta Neurologica Scandinavica suggests. However, high serum vitamin D may help relieve depression and fatigue even though it is not as effective as sun exposure.

The study led by S. Knippenberg from Maastricht University Medical Center in Maastricht, The Netherlands and colleagues shows that patients with multiple sclerosis who were exposed to more sunshine were less depressive and less severely fatigued.

The study found at relatively lower levels, serum vitamin D, which was produced after exposure to sunshine, was not associated with depression and the degree of fatigue in those with multiple sclerosis.

Early studies linked vitamin D levels to depression. Insufficient sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency both have been associated with elevated risk for multiple sclerosis with which patients often suffer depression, anxiety, fatigue and cognitive impairment.

In the study, 198 patients with multiple sclerosis were followed up for an average 2.3 years, serum vitamin D (25(OH)D, sun exposure, depression, anxiety and fatigue were evaluated biannually and cognitive function was assessed annually.

It was found that reported sun exposure was inversely associated with depression scores and fatigue scores. 

However, high serum levels of 25(OH)D (>80 nm) were also inversely associated depression scores but not as significantly as sun exposure, after adjustment for reported sun exposure. 

No associations were found between reported sun exposure or serum 25(OH)D levels and anxiety or cognition scores.

The researchers concluded "higher levels reported sun exposure, rather than 25(OH)D levels, were associated with less depressive symptoms and levels of fatigue. The role of UV or light therapy will need to be evaluated in randomized controlled trials to confirm an effect on these symptoms in MS." (reporting By Jimmy Downs)