Summer is almost here! Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, a nutrient that helps regulate the immune response and may be especially beneficial for people with MS. 

What’s the best way to get a natural dose of this necessary nutrient? 

It’s very difficult to get enough vitamin D from sunlight most months of the year unless you live close to the equator. Now that the sunlight is finally getting stronger in the northern latitudes, try to spend some time outside every day. While you should be careful never to let your skin burn, sunscreen does limit the amount of vitamin D the skin can make. Sun tolerance depends on skin type, but for most people, a routine that minimizes sun damage but allows for a healthy dose of vitamin D  is to apply sunscreen to your face, but leave your arms and legs without sunscreen while you soak up some rays for 5-20 minutes at peak daylight (between 11am and 2pm).