Venture 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 sun's rays act directly to initiate production of Vitamin D3, with UVB rays reacting with skin-based cholesterol to help the liver and kidneys manufacture the vitamin. This necessary process cannot happen unless we expose our bodies directly to light from the sun. Glass blocks out UVB rays, so sunbathing through a window does not have the same effect.

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.

The body will also never allow itself to overdose on the vitamin, as it has a natural, in-built resistance which kicks in when enough has been created. For the full benefits of exposure to sun, it is a good idea not to wash straight away with soap. This will strip away the skin's oils which help with the production of Vitamin D, so leave them alone for a few minutes after coming in.

There are other potential benefits to the skin being exposed to direct sunlight too, with recent research from Edinburgh University suggesting that exposure to sun may well help with circulatory conditions. Sunlight might help with illnesses caused by high blood pressure, as well as heart attack and stroke. This might well be so effective, the researchers claim, as to outweigh risks of skin cancers.

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.

Exposure to light from the sun can therefore be seen to be good for you in a number of ways. It can keep your heart healthy, as well as ensure you have sufficient Vitamin D. If you are concerned about any specific health issue relating to the sun, consult a medical professional.




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