While many people have become aware of the dangers of over exposure to sunlight, with the risk of skin cancers well known by us all now, there are still many health benefits to spending time out in the sun. While sunburn should always be avoided, getting the right balance between being outside and protecting yourself is a good way of giving your body and mind a natural tonic. Some of the health benefits which can result from being out in the sun are detailed below.
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 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 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 has also been some research carried out recently at Edinburgh University which states that the light from the sun could help with conditions such as high blood pressure and heart attack, as well as reducing the risk of dying of a stroke. This could have a massive impact on the life expectancy of many people. The potential benefits are so great that they may well outweigh the risk from skin cancer.
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 make sure that you get yourself out in the sun at least a few times a week this summer. It can help in at least two major way with your health. Speak to a medical professional if you have any problems with exposure to sunlight, or a more specific condition.
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 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 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 has also been some research carried out recently at Edinburgh University which states that the light from the sun could help with conditions such as high blood pressure and heart attack, as well as reducing the risk of dying of a stroke. This could have a massive impact on the life expectancy of many people. The potential benefits are so great that they may well outweigh the risk from skin cancer.
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 make sure that you get yourself out in the sun at least a few times a week this summer. It can help in at least two major way with your health. Speak to a medical professional if you have any problems with exposure to sunlight, or a more specific condition.
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