Get some sun but do not abuse it!

Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?

Who is afraid of the big bad wolf? Not me! The sun is the thing that dreams are made of, paradise beach and palm trees. The sun is the thing that vitamin D3 is made from. So why be so afraid of it? Perhaps we don’t understand it. When sunlight hits the skin, it converts a substance in the skin into vitamin D3, through a series of actions. We also get a small amount of vitamin D3 from food but this alone is not sufficient to give us our daily needs, so the next best option is the sun, which is as natural as food, or then there is supplementation.

Why we need vitamin D3

Believe it or not, nearly everyone is deficient in vitamin D3, even those living in warmer climates. Insufficient vitamin D3 has been linked to just about every age-related disorder there is, including cancer, vascular disease, osteoporosis, and chronic inflammation. Adults, along with children, with higher vitamin D3 levels get less colds and flu, and other viral infections. Women with insufficient vitamin D3 levels could have a 253 percent increased risk of colon cancer and postmenopausal women a 223 percent increased risk of breast cancer. Myriad of studies show that higher levels of vitamin D3 reduce breast cancer incidence. Soak up some vitamin D3!

Bring on the sunshine

As an added bonus, the warmth of the sun on our skin makes us feel less inhibited, more lighthearted and that healthy glow makes you feel more attractive, contrary to what your dermatologist may tell you, “You are setting yourself up for cancer, wrinkles and sun damage,” says he. “Not necessarily,” say I. Sun exposure prompts our sexual desire because it stimulates two major glands, the pituitary and hypothalamus that play a role in this emotional reaction. Vitamin D3 is an anabolic nutrient and helps raise our testosterone and human growth hormones levels. Roll on that sun!

Safe and sensible sun exposure

It is only obvious that we want to breathe fresh air and feel the warmth of the sunlight on our face and body. The problems starts when we go overboard on the latter. What you want is a healthy and safe sun exposure, which is, a once-a-day soak up of 40 minutes (that would be 20 mins per side), without sunscreen. The best times are between 9.00am and 11.00am or after 2.00pm. Long hours in the sun are not necessary.

We need sufficient levels of vitamin D3 to be healthy and to protect our health for the future; sunlight is nature’s way of providing us with it. And it’s ‘free’! Get some sun but do not abuse it!

To your health.

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