Sunlight Trick Eases Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when the cartilage between your bones wears down.

The pain can be a constant and often unbearable companion. And there are no drugs that can stop this process—or even slow it down, for that matter.

But it turns out stepping outside could be the secret to easing the pain. In fact, there’s even evidence that this action may slow, stop, and even REVERSE that cartilage breakdown.

However, it’s not exercise I’m talking about here. It’s exposure to SUNLIGHT.

Here’s why it works…

Direct sunlight reduces osteoarthritis pain because it is critical for melatonin production.

Yes, melatonin is known as the “sleep hormone,” but it’s also essential for the optimal repair of everyday joint damage.

This is due to melatonin’s role in maintaining healthy mitochondria. These are the microscopic energy factories in your cells.

Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction can increase the risk of many diseases—including osteoarthritis. That’s because mitochondrial dysfunction can speed up cartilage breakdown and other factors that lead to OA.

Cutting-edge research shows that melatonin is a chondrocyte protector, an anti-inflammation modulator, and a free radical scavenger—three critical processes for helping to preserve joint function.

Melatonin also controls cartilage regeneration and degradation by regulating the expression of the central circadian clock genes.

Stick with me for some of the science behind it.

Melatonin is first created by the stimulus of ultraviolet light directly in your eyes and on your skin during the day.

When UV light enters your eyes specifically, the photons are captured by aromatic amino acids in the retinal pigmented epithelium. These catalyze the formation of melatonin in the retina during the day.

In other words, exposing your eyes to sunlight is necessary to produce melatonin.

Then, after melatonin is produced, it needs to be released.

The pineal gland’s release of melatonin is tied to retinal melatonin and the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is stored primarily in the gut. Serotonin is the precursor for pineal gland melatonin.

For melatonin to be released from the pineal gland, it requires four hours of darkness and cessation of peristalsis in the gut.

That’s why, in addition to blocking artificial (blue/green wavelength) light at night, it’s ideal to avoid eating late in the evening.

This will contribute to OVERALL health and the optimal repair of normal joint damage.

If you’d like to learn more, subscribers to my Natural Health Response can check out the March 2022 issue HERE.

Not yet a subscriber? CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming one.

P.S. Top 5 supplements to ERASE joint pain.

Source:

Lu K, et al. “The potential remedy of melatonin on osteoarthritis.” J Pineal Research. 2021;71(3).