Monday, 01 August 2011 04:02
(Desert Health, May/June 2011)
Let’s face it. Lately the sun has gotten a bad rap. Many fear the sun’s rays and worry about skin cancer. “I think the current message that all unprotected sun exposure is bad for you is too extreme,” states Michael Holick, MD director of the Vitamin D Research Lab at Boston University Medical Center. “The original message was that people should limit their sun exposure, not that they should avoid the sun entirely. I do believe that some unprotected sun exposure is important for health.”
“Nobody wants to get skin cancer, but we’ve gone from sun worship to sun dread, “ states Dr. Robert S. Stern, chair of the Department of Dermatology at Harvard affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He has coined the phrase “solar-phobes”: people so concerned about getting skin cancer that they stay inside or cover every bit of skin.
All agree that the sun’s radiation can help processes in the body work better, so let’s take a look at some of the positive benefits of the sun as determined by recent medical studies.
BODY BENEFITS
- Boost the immune system: Vitamin D is essential to and can boost your immune system helping to fight off disease more effectively.
- Lower cholesterol: Cholesterol is converted into Vitamin D by sunlight, therefore avoiding the sun will likewise undermine our ability to synthesize Vitamin D.
- Boost metabolism: Sensible sun exposure can help increase metabolism, increasing the rate at which you burn calories aiding in weight loss and fitness.
- Enhanced kidney function: There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in those with chronic kidney disease. The kidneys remove waste from the body, so getting proper sun exposure can help decrease the toxicity in your bloodstream.
- Stronger skeleton: Because of its role in helping the body to absorb calcium, getting sufficient sun exposure for the production of Vitamin D can help prevent bone disease resulting in less brittle bones.
BRIGHT MINDS
- Reduce stress: Taking some time to enjoy the sun can reduce stress aiding in better sleep and overall health.
- Reduce anxiety: Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is often lacking in people with anxiety or depression, is thought to be increased by Vitamin D, as possibly are other essential neurotransmitters such as Dopamine.
- Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): If you suffer from SAD during the winter, introduce more sunlight into your environment through open shades and windows.
DISEASE PREVENTION
- Reduce the chance of multiple sclerosis: There are indications that Vitamin D can help ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with MS and even fight against its development. This theory is supported by the geographic distribution of MS, which is nearly zero in equatorial regions and increases dramatically with latitude in both hemispheres.
- Reduce risk of rheumatoid arthritis: Women living in the northeastern US are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis suggesting a link between and autoimmune disease and vitamin D deficiency.
- Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes: Multiple studies suggest that Vitamin D, along with calcium, may help reduce the risk for developing the disease. In addition, both nutrients may be beneficial in optimizing glucose metabolism.
- Prevent high blood pressure: A growing body of research suggests that Vitamin D may play a role in blood pressure regulation and heart health. It is known, for example, that cases of high blood pressure increase during the winter and in places that are further from the equator.
- Cancer risk reduction: Studies show that Vitamin D could actually aid in reducing the risk of different cancers. And some cancers are actually encouraged by a lack of Vitamin D.
DERMATOLOGISTS MAY DISAGREE
The nation’s largest dermatology group remains unconvinced. In a recent press release, the American Academy of Dermatology wrote that they were “deeply concerned” that messages that unprotected sun exposure may have health benefits could “mislead the public about the very real danger of sun exposure, the leading cause of skin cancer.”
As with all things related to health and wellness, moderation is the key. The recommended exposure to direct sunlight is 15-20 minutes daily, however a sun burn is never recommended. For longer periods of exposure, SPF 15+ should be selected and used regularly based on skin type.
