Sun Exposure and Vitamin D
The sun has been unfairly vilified when in essence adequate and safe exposure to the sun is healing. Let’s talk more about sun exposure and vitamin D and how they affect our health.
Research suggests that vitamin D may play a role in:
Reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Decreasing the chance of heart disease. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to increased risk of heart diseases such as hypertension, heart failure, and stroke.
Reducing the likelihood of severe illnesses. Vitamin D may make severe flu, cold, and infections less intense and help prevent these illnesses from occurring. Vitamin D has even been found to aid in healing acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Supporting immune health. People who do not have adequate vitamin D levels might be at increased risk of infections and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Increasing Serotonin Levels. Serotonin impacts everything from your emotions to your body and motor skills. It helps with sleep, healing, and digestive and is a natural mood stabilizer.
Can decrease or cure issues of sleep apnea. In one study, 98% of patients with sleep apnea had vitamin D deficiency, and the more severe the sleep apnea, the more severe the deficiency.
May Heal Tuberculosis. In March of 2016, Econotimes Health reported that “clinical trials have shown that adding vitamin D supplements to the antibiotic treatment regimens for TB patients improves their chances of recovering from the disease.” Sunlight also has UV rays known to be germicidal and can help kill infections in your blood. This aspect of sunlight was used to treat tuberculosis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, even awarding a Nobel prize to Finson in 1903 for this work.
Healing Skin conditions. Sun exposure might help treat several skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, jaundice, and acne.
Prevention of certain cancers. A moderate amount of sunlight has preventive benefits when it comes to cancer. Those who live in areas with fewer daylight hours are more likely to have some specific cancers than those who live where there’s more sun during the day. These cancers include colon cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
Cure Erectile Dysfunction. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have linked low vitamin D levels with an increased risk for erectile dysfunction (ED).
Regulating the circadian rhythm through melatonin production which can improve sleep. Our circadian rhythm is intricately linked to the light-dark cycle of the day. When the eyes are exposed to sunlight, especially in the morning, a signal is sent to the pineal gland to suppress melatonin production.
How to get adequate Vitamin D during sunny months:
Exposure to the sun is the best way to get adequate D. The sun is the best source of Vitamin D.
If you are prone to burn, (more on that later), 10 to 30 minutes of exposure is best as your body adapts to sun exposure. Midday sun is the best and the safest.
However, don’t forget to get a little morning sun to regulate melatonin and sleep. As little as 5 to 10 minutes of morning sun is enough and can even be acquired even on cloudy days.
Should you wear sunscreen? According to Pub Med, some studies estimate that sunscreen of SPF 30 or more reduces vitamin D production in the body by about 95–98%. Other studies (1, 2, 3) suggest that sunscreen has little impact on blood vitamin D levels. One possible explanation is that even though you are wearing sunscreen, you may be staying in the sun for a longer period which may cause enough vitamin D to be made in the skin. At any rate, most sunscreen have some level of toxicity and are best avoided. Creatrix Solutions offers a tallow natural sunscreen – the best sunscreen on the market! (Use coupon code DoreenMB2024 to receive a 10% discount).
When in the sun, expose as much skin as possible (and legal) - wearing a swimsuit, or tank top and shorts.
How to get adequate Vitamin D during un-sunny months. I am not sure if un-sunny is a word, but let’s roll with it!
Vitamin D supplementation is usually needed if you live in an area where you are not in the sun year-round.
I have a very general Vitamin D recommendation I make for clients, but the best way to get the “right” amount of D is to measure the vitamin D levels in the blood. If you’re not testing, you’re guessing.
Omegaquant has excellent vitamin D tests that can be done from home. When my clients have their D levels tested, I review their results, free of charge, and adjust their programs if needed.
Having my D tested bi-annually has allowed me to adjust my D supplementation based on the season, as I take more in the winter and less in the summer.
I recommend Just Thrive k2-7 Plus D which also has adequate amounts of k2-7 to assure that Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are delivered to the body properly and not deposited in the joints and tissues. (Use coupon code Doreen and receive a discount on Just Thrive D).
Leave a comment or use my contact form to reach out if you have additional questions or want to learn more about my work as a holistic healer and Mineral Balancing Practitioner.
The entire contents of this website/article are based upon the opinions of Doreen McCafferty NLC, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Doreen McCafferty, NLC and her community. Doreen McCafferty encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. All information in this article is for educational purposes only and not designed to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.