Leap Out In The Sun And Feel Healthier As A Result

By Haywood Hunter


Much has been made in recent years of the damage which over exposure to sunlight can cause to the human body. The sun has been held responsible, with good reason, for conditions such as skin cancer, and too much sun can also cause the skin to age more quickly than it should. There is a balance to be struck though, and the sun can also do the human body a tremendous amount of good.

Perhaps the best known health benefit of being in the sun is that your body subsequently produces more Vitamin D. Many people who suffer from conditions associated with Vitamin D deficiencies, such as rickets, fall victim to the condition because of a lack of sunlight. Other conditions such as asthma and some cancers have also been linked by recent research to a lack of this vitamin.

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.

A sensible level of exposure to sunlight is to be outside for around half an hour. Your body will benefit from this kind of exposure on three or four occasions each week. Glass allows UVA rays in, which can damage the skin, while blocking UVB rays, so exposure to sun through windows is not to be advised. Sun block lotions and creams can also block UVB rays, which the body uses 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.

Recent research from Edinburgh University also suggests that the health benefits of spending time in the sun may well outweigh the risks of contracting skin cancers. This research suggests that the rays from the sun can help to cut high blood pressure, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. This has a significant impact on potential life length for many people.

The study found that the UV rays present in the light of the sun released Nitric Oxide. This compound could well work to reduce blood pressure, and therefore help with a host of conditions. According to figures from the BBC, stroke and heart disease kill up to eighty times more people in the United Kingdom than skin cancer does.

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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