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Get Out In The Sun And Be 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.

One major boost that your body can receive from you being out in the sun is a tonic to its production of Vitamin D. Conditions such as rickets can be the end result of the human body having too little Vitamin D, which is often as a result of not spending enough time in the sun. Some types of asthma and some varieties of cancer can also be caused by a lack of 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.

This means that taking a balanced approach to being in the sun can be very good for you. If you aim to be out for between a quarter and a half of an hour for four days a week, then you will be getting about as much as you need. Exposure to sun through glass does not have the same effect, because the glass blocks UVB rays.

The body also has its own natural protection mechanisms, which will protect people from overdosing on Vitamin D. It is also a good idea not to wash with soap too soon after coming in from the sun. This will wash off the skin's oils which are so important at the start of the Vitamin D production process.

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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