As autoimmune conditions surge globally, the need for non-invasive treatment strategies are pressing. But a growing movement within functional medicine and IV therapy in Toronto is looking to one ancient source for healing: sunlight!

Recent findings suggest that controlled exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light may have a role in regulating immune function, particularly in patients with autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.

This article from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre explores: 

• • How sunlight – long associated with risk – is being re-evaluated with integrative and functional medicine; 
  • If targeted UV phototherapy offers a low-risk adjunct therapy for autoimmune conditions. 
  • How personalized therapies can offer help for managing autoimmune concerns. 

Understanding the Immune-Calming Mechanisms of Sunlight

Sunlight isn’t just about vitamin D. While UVB radiation helps the skin synthesize this vitamin — which is a compound that aids calcium absorption and immune function —research has unveiled other mechanisms that can contribute to its therapeutic value. Among the skin-derived compounds stimulated by UV exposure are: 

• • Lumisterol and tachysterol: Vitamin D helps produce potent anti-inflammatory effects when combined with lumisterol and tachysterol. 
  • Nitric oxide: Activating this can lower systemic inflammation and blood pressure.
  • Cis-urocanic acid: Regulates immune tolerance in the skin.
  • Beta-endorphins and cortisol: Stress-reducing hormones that modulate immune signaling.

UV therapy also appears to help reprogram immune cells. One 2020 trial showed that narrowband UVB exposure in early-stage MS patients reduced inflammatory protein levels and improved clinical scores; these effects persisted long after these treatments ended.

Decades of research has noted a noteworthy pattern: the farther from the equator, the higher the prevalence of autoimmune diseases. For example, MS is almost nonexistent in equatorial regions, though rises sharply in Canada, Scandinavia, and the UK. A pivotal Australian study found MS rates rising from 12 per 100,000 people in tropical Townsville to 76 per 100,000 in southern Hobart. The prevailing theory attributes this to sunlight exposure—or the lack thereof. The functional medicine community in Toronto is particularly attuned to this data, given Canada’s northern latitude and long winters. Experts believe limited sun exposure could negatively impact immune health and potentially instigate inflammatory health concerns. 

Embracing Light with Functional Medicine and Vitamin Drip Therapy

Functional medicine and IV therapy practitioners may recommend phototherapy for autoimmune issues. The aim of functional medicine-based treatments is to restore systemic balance, which may involve integrating several treatment modalities with complementary nutrient therapy. When applied responsibly, UV phototherapy may be beneficial for supporting this equilibrium. Here are samples of related protocols that can be discussed with functional practitioners: 

• • Targeted UVB light therapy sessions
  • Outdoor prescriptions (i.e. ‘sunlight walks’ around Toronto ravines)
  • Personalized nutrient therapies where sunlight is limited (i.e. oral vitamins, IV drip therapies, or vitamin D booster injections)
  • Monitoring of skin phototype to help optimize therapy duration

Implementing light-based therapy reflects a shift toward root-cause resolution and lifestyle integration—the pillars of functional medicine.

Taking Caution: Why Opt into Personalized Therapies

Though it contains healthy properties, sunlight is still a known carcinogen. While narrowband UVB avoids the wavelengths most associated with skin cancer, long-term safety still requires monitoring. If light therapy is suitable for your needs, our Toronto clinicians may mention it for an individualized approach to wellness (especially in patients with fair skin or a history of melanoma). 

Our clinicians adhere to the principles of functional medicine, which means treatment plans are customized for biological needs. Depending on your current condition, there’s a chance that light therapy may not be suitable for you. “Light therapy should not be used in patients taking photosensitizing medications or with significant retinal pathology,” confirms a paper from the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience.

To determine if this therapeutic treatment is suitable, you can visit our clinic for a consult. We’ll discuss your current health status, and we’ll inquire about your medical history, genetics, and lifestyle and environmental factors (i.e. diet, exposure to pollutants, etc.). Functional lab tests may be arranged to further scrutinize nutrient deficiencies, gut bacteria, hormone levels, etc. These results provide us with detailed data for customizing your therapies, and can help us determine if phototherapy is appropriate for you. 

The Future: Toward a Phototherapeutic Renaissance 

Sun therapy could mean a rethinking of health not as something managed, but as something modulated — in balance with nature. For autoimmune care, sunlight is acknowledged for its healing potential. Its ability to retrain immune responses, reduce inflammation, and possibly prevent disease may support beneficial effects in the human body. As lab findings grow and personalized protocols evolve, the glow of UV light may shine as an adjunct in autoimmune management.

Suggested reading: Dealing with Menstrual Cramps: Crash Course with Functional IV Therapy Toronto Principles

Light Up Your Wellness with the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

If you’re struggling with your autoimmune condition, it’s possible to have an integrated functional medicine treatment arranged for your needs! Custom treatment plans may also be beneficial for patients struggling with brain fog, menopause, food sensitivities, declining cognitive function, and tissue repair, as well as chronic conditions (i.e. chronic fatigue syndrome). 

Our clinicians can integrate a wide range of treatment service options, including Western medicine, herbal remedies, psychotherapy, holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine, and more. We also offer intravenous therapy in our IV Lounge, and these therapeutic doses are customized with functional medicine principles. This means that your dosage is only unique to your needs!

Our IV Lounge offers a combination of vitamins and minerals freshly blended on-site into drip therapy treatments. We do not add preservatives – we only use natural ingredients. Key nutrients on our menu include vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, NAD+ IV, several amino acids and B vitamins, essential minerals, and more. Intravenous therapy and nutritional intramuscular injections are not meant to replace healthy living. When added to a regime of additional functional medicine therapies, nutritious eating, and exercise, they may support wellness enhancements. 

Each IV therapy session is carefully monitored for safety by our experienced team of naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. We are a patient-centered practice, so we invite you to speak up with your questions or concerns! We can even arrange for a custom-made IV drip for specific health goals, including those linked to athletic performance, anti-aging, chronic stress, and boosting energy levels. 

Nutrient deficiencies can impede your immune health, skin condition, and cellular energy – let’s find out if your nutrient levels are up to par with our lab tests. Simply click here to request your consult with our functional and IV therapy Toronto practitioners. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Apperly, F. L. (1941). The relation of solar radiation to cancer mortality in North America. Cancer Research, 1(3), 191–195. https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/1/3/191

Byrne, S. N., Gorman, S., & Hart, P. H. (2024). UV-induced lipid mediators and their immunomodulatory roles in human skin and lymphoid tissue. Journal of Photodermatology and Photoimmunology, [Volume and issue TBD—preprint or in-press citation]. Note: Full citation to be updated upon formal publication.

Gorman, S., Scott, N. M., Tan, D. H., Weeden, C. E., Tuckey, R. C., Bisley, J. L., Grimbaldeston, M. A., Finlay-Jones, J. J., & Hart, P. H. (2023). Narrowband UVB and solar-simulated UV suppress systemic immune responses in humans. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 143(4), 1020–1030.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2022.12.024

Hart, P. H., Gorman, S., & Finlay-Jones, J. J. (2010). UV radiation suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis independent of vitamin D production. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(12), 6418–6423. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0912647107

Hart, P. H., Norval, M., Byrne, S. N., & Rhodes, L. E. (2020). Ultraviolet radiation and the regulation of immunity: The role of the skin in protecting human health. Nature Reviews Immunology, 20(6), 389–402. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-020-0305-2

Holick, M. F. (2004). Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 80(6 Suppl), 1678S–1688S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1678S

Levitan, Robert D. “What Is the Optimal Implementation of Bright Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?” Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, vol. 30, no. 1, 2005, p. 72, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC543845/. Accessed 25 May 2025.

Lucas, R. M., Ponsonby, A. L., Dear, K., Valery, P. C., Pender, M. P., Taylor, B. V., Kilpatrick, T. J., Dwyer, T., Coulthard, A., Chapman, C., van der Mei, I. A., McMichael, A. J., & the Ausimmune Investigators. (2011). Sun exposure and vitamin D are independent risk factors for CNS demyelination. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 17(5), 562–573. https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458510394461

Peroni, A., Gisondi, P., Zanoni, M., & Girolomoni, G. (2011). Sun exposure induces rapid immunological changes in skin and peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology, 164(4), 858–865. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10135.x

Simpson, S. Jr., Blizzard, L., Otahal, P., Van der Mei, I., & Taylor, B. (2019). Latitude continues to be significantly associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 90(11), 1193–1200. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-320189

Wacker, M., & Holick, M. F. (2013). Sunlight exposure: Do health benefits outweigh risks? Dermato-Endocrinology, 5(1), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.24494