On this page

Natural sunlight and MS: more than just vitamin D

Sunlight plays a vital role in supporting overall health, and its benefits go far beyond just vitamin D production.

Sunlight and vitamin D

One of the most well-known benefits of sunlight is that it helps the body produce vitamin D. However, in many parts of the world, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone. For example, in the UK, UVB rays are too weak between October and March to produce enough vitamin D naturally. Because of this we recommend people with MS supplement with vitamin D, find out more here.

Discover more about how much time you need to spend in the sun to achieve adequate vitamin D levels here.

Sunlight’s role beyond vitamin D

Even though getting enough vitamin D is crucial, sunlight also has other important benefits – particularly for people with MS. Research suggests that exposure to natural light can help with:

Regulating sleep and energy levels

Sunlight, especially in the morning and evening, helps keep your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) balanced, which can improve sleep quality. Better sleep can, in turn, reduce MS symptoms like fatigue, pain, and brain fog.

Reducing stress and improving mood

Sunlight exposure influences melatonin (the sleep hormone) and serotonin (the feel-good hormone), both of which play a role in mood regulation and mental well-being.

Supporting immune function

Sunlight interacts with the body in ways that go beyond vitamin D, potentially affecting inflammation, immune responses, and overall MS symptom management. Some researchers are even exploring chronotherapy—using light exposure at specific times of day—to support the immune, digestive, and endocrine systems in MS.

Making the most of natural sunlight

While safe sunlight exposure is beneficial, it’s important to balance sun safety with the need for vitamin D and circadian health.

To get the most out of natural light:

Get morning sunlight – Aim to spend time outdoors in the morning to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Be mindful of UV exposure – If you live in a region with limited sunlight, supplementing with vitamin D may be necessary.

Prioritise sleep health – Avoid too much artificial light at night, as it can interfere with melatonin production.

The bottom line

Sunlight plays an important role in health and MS management—not just through vitamin D production, but also in supporting sleep, mood, and immune function. While safe sun exposure can be beneficial, vitamin D supplementation is likely to be needed to ensure optimal levels.

Top references

If you’d like to know more, all the reference we’ve used to create this page can be found on our pages for Healthcare Professionals.

Hart, P.H., Finlay-Jones, J.J., Gorman, S. (2009). Photoneuroimmunology: Modulation of the Neuroimmune System by UV Radiation. In: Granstein, R.D., Luger, T.A. (eds) Neuroimmunology of the Skin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-35989-0_12 

Pivovarova 2022 (PDF) Multiple sclerosis and circadian rhythms: Can diet act as a treatment?

Wacker M, Holick MF. Sunlight and Vitamin D: A global perspective for health. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Jan 1;5(1):51-108. doi: 10.4161/derm.24494. PMID: 24494042; PMCID: PMC3897598. 

 

Further Reading