Studies have shown that exposure to the sun, in moderate amounts, reduces the risk of developing several types of cancer and other serious health conditions.
Vitamin D is produced by our body through the action of sunlight on our skin. Professor Michael Holick states that 90-95% of vitamin D is obtained from the sun. It is also essential for calcium absorption, maintaining healthy bones, and protecting against serious chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, type II diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and many types of cancer. He advises us to go out in the sun, when it is not too strong, for 5 to 15 minutes a day, at least 3 times a week, to boost our vitamin D levels. Additionally, we can obtain vitamin D from foods such as fatty fish, milk, eggs, and fortified breakfast cereals. However, most of us do not have a sufficiently healthy diet to obtain adequate amounts, so we can rely on the sun as the primary source of this important vitamin.
The sun stimulates serotonin levels, the natural happiness hormone. This is why we tend to feel happier and more energetic when the sun shines. It can prevent depression, especially when combined with a walk in the park.
A study showed that people in the UK have a higher risk of death from heart disease during the winter than in the summer, due to low levels of vitamin D. Additionally, cholesterol levels rise during the winter, which is attributed to the decrease in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D may help prevent diabetes. A study conducted in Finland found that children who were given a vitamin D supplement for several years had an 80% reduced risk of developing type I diabetes, says Dr. Holick. It is also believed that a deficiency in vitamin D contributes to type II diabetes, according to a study conducted by Dr. Barbara Boucher at St. Bartholomew’s and Royal London hospitals.
Affective seasonal disorder is a type of depression specifically caused by a lack of sunlight. Increased exposure to natural light is beneficial. Taking a walk during the fall and winter can help prevent this condition.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that can lead to paralysis. The cause is unknown, but scientists have observed that exposure to sunlight in childhood seems to dramatically reduce the risk of developing this disease later in life. They have also noted that the incidence of this condition is lower in sunnier countries.
The sun helps warm the body’s joints and eases stiffness, reducing pain caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Although excessive sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, vitamin D provided by sunlight significantly helps reduce the risk of developing other types of cancer. A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute in the USA found that people exposed to sunlight were significantly less likely to die from skin and colon cancer. A similar effect was observed for bladder, uterine, esophageal, and stomach cancers.
The sun reduces levels of melatonin, a hormone that suppresses female fertility, and increases testosterone levels in men.
Sunlight encourages the production of white blood cells, which helps stimulate the immune system and fight infections.
High levels of serotonin in the body not only make us feel happier but also suppress appetite.
