Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Leap Out In The Sun And Feel Healthier As A Result

By Haywood Hunter


Although there has been a lot of information supplied to the public in recent times about the potentially damaging effects of exposure to light from the sun, its positive health effects are often forgotten. While it is never wise to stay in the sun so long that our skin burns, some exposure to direct sunlight can have very positive effects. By taking a balanced approach to being out in the sun, it is possible to enjoy several potential health benefits.

A key benefit of spending time in the sun is that it allows the body to produce the Vitamin D that it requires naturally. Conditions such as rickets are caused by having too little of this vitamin. Some cancers, as well as respiratory conditions like asthma, have also been linked to having too little Vitamin D in the body.

The light from the sun is especially important for the body's natural production of Vitamin D3. The natural cholesterol in skin works with the sun's UVB rays to help out liver and kidneys produce this vitamin. Unless the skin is exposed to direct sunlight, this process will be severely impaired, with many possibly negative consequences.

This means that it is actually good for you to expose skin to sunlight for at least 20 to 30 minutes, on three or four occasions each week. Sunlight through windows will not have the same positive effects, as the glass in windows blocks UCB rays while letting in UVA rays, which are potentially damaging. Sun screens often work to block UVB rays, which can work to produce Vitamin D.

It is also impossible to get too much Vitamin D, as the body has a natural defence mechanism, which will start to work when enough of the vitamin is present for the body's needs. For the full positive effect of the sun's rays, do not wash the skin with soap immediately after coming in from being out in the sun. The soap will destroy the natural oils which are necessary for the production of Vitamin D.

There has also been some research carried out recently at Edinburgh University which states that the light from the sun could help with conditions such as high blood pressure and heart attack, as well as reducing the risk of dying of a stroke. This could have a massive impact on the life expectancy of many people. The potential benefits are so great that they may well outweigh the risk from skin cancer.

The active ingredient in the process of helping with conditions to do with the blood circulation systems of the body is the compound Nitric Oxide. This looks like it acts to lower blood pressure, though the authors of the study admit more research is necessary before it can be established beyond doubt. BBC statistics indicate that illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes usually kill 80 times more people than skin cancer on an annual basis.

So it seems that being out in the sun can be good for your health and well-being in a number of ways. It must always be understood though that it is important to keep your exposure balanced. If you need specific medical advice with regard to sunlight, then speak to your doctor.




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