I’m sure you have heard so much negative about being in the sun that you think twice about even going to the beach to have fun.  Well, there is another side of the coin and that is that lack of direct sunlight is problematic.  So, we will examine the benefits of sunlight and consequences of not getting enough of it.

According to a recent study, not getting enough direct sunlight increases our chances of cancer by at least 70%.  Our bodies must have natural sunlight to synthesize adequate amounts of vitamin D in order to keep our bones strong and healthy and to support our immune systems.

We can get some vitamin D from food but it is also made by our bodies after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.  The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.  Vitamin D helps us absorb calcium which in turn, helps us to form and maintain strong bones and teeth.  Without the proper amount of vitamin D, bones start to become thin, brittle, soft or misshapen.  Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteoporosia and osteomalacia in adults.

So, what’s the bottom line?  If you take good-qaulity calcium supplements (best not to get it from dairy) and get adequate natural sunlight exposure or supplement with a good source of vitamin D such as a high quality cod liver oil, you could easily improve your health.

Here are some foods that contain vitamin D.

• Cod Liver Oil
• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Sardines
• Whole Eggs (vitamin D is present in the yolk)
• Milk, nonfat, reduced fat or whole

Interesting, one would need to drink a minimum or a litre of milk per day to get the minimum requirements of vitamin D, which is around 400 IU.  If on the other hand, we were to expose at least 20% or our skin to sunlight all your round for up to 10 minutes a day, we would ensure adequate amounts of vitamin D.

Deficiency of natural sunlight and vitam D have been associated with the following conditions:

• adrenal insufficiency
• Alzheimer’s
• allergies
• autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis
• cancer’s of the colon, breast, skin and prostate
• depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• diabetes, type 1 and 2
• gluten intolerance, lectin intolerance
• heart disease, hypertension, Syndrome X
• infertility, sexual dysfunction
• learning and behavior disorders
• misaligned teeth and cavities
• obesity
• osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia (adult rickets)
• Parkinson’s
• PMS
• psoriasis

Phew!  I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to head for the beach!