Making Sense of Sunshine!

Have you been hiding out?

Ever since the skin cancer sun scare of the of the 1980's, many people have been living in fear of the sun: hiding indoors, under hats, or beneath a coating of sunscreen. But man wasn't meant to live like a fungus in the shade!

Am I suggesting that you go out recklessly and allow yourself to be burned?

Far from it. I'm just suggesting you use some common sense in this matter because THE SUN IS GOOD FOR YOU.

For example, studies are now showing that people need considerably more Vitamin D than previously thought; probably twice the 400 IU RDA. And exposure to sunlight allows your body to manufacture it.

Furthermore, research from the American Cancer Society suggests that exposure to sunlight can help protect women against breast cancer by increasing their supply of Vitamin D.

And other studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between low levels of Vitamin D and colon, prostate, breast, and even skin cancers.

Too little sunlight is also associated with depression, degenerative arthritis, and even obesity.

So enjoy the sun!

I'm not a sun worshipper, but once the warm weather reaches us here in the Northeast, I like to make good use of it. I don't even like laying out in the sun that much, but for years it's been part of my summertime discipline: like exercise.

It's sunburn that can be dangerous, so don't let yourself burn. But 3, 4 or 5 times per week expose as much of yourself as possible for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, front and back, at 5 or 10 minute intervals. Use a watch or timer to let you know when it's time to turn, and don't fall asleep!

And don't use sunscreens.

Sunscreens not only inhibit the production of Vitamin D, they're transdermally absorbed by your system. They are a pollutant! If your body can transdermally make use of things like progesterone cream, or nicotine and duragesic patches, what use is it making of the substances in the sunscreens, soaps, and cosmetics you use?

Doing 20 or 30 minutes at a time, you will gradually build up a tan, and once tanned you will be able to stay out for longer periods of time, if you like. You can even speed up tanning by sunning every day or a couple of times a day

Also, remember to stay hydrated. And if you do need to be out in the sun for extended periods of time, then do cover up and wear a hat. The sun really is good for you. You just have to be sensible in how you use it to take advantage of it's health-giving properties.

Lawrence Stepanowicz, ND

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Reprinted from Practical Health. For a
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Copyright Lawrence Stepanowicz, ND