by Ola Mazurkiewicz Dip NT, mNTOI
Summer has arrived and all of us would like to enjoy some sunlight. Many of us would suntan with a thick layer of sunscreen, to lower the risk of getting a skin cancer. By using sunscreens we cannot get the full benefits that sun exposure has to offer.
More than that. The scientists are saying that even taking the skin-cancer risk into account, getting a good dose of sunshine is statistically going to make us live longer, healthier and happier lives.
The benefits of sun exposure are countless.
The well known:
Enhancing of the immune system thanks to the vitamin D, which is produced by the skin when exposed to the sun.
And, also the less known:
Protection of the cardiovascular system and the increased production of the happy hormone serotonin. Thanks to the nitric oxide produced by the body when exposed to the sun.
The increased nitric oxide production has also a beneficial effect on conditions such as multiple sclerosis and atherosclerosis.
Sun exposure can also activate the anti-inflammatory genes. And it helps in prevention of Chronic inflammation related heart attacks, diabetes and cancer.
Even our gut flora loves the sun and the exposure of our belly button to the sunlight can help to re-establish the beneficial gut flora and fight the gut pathogens and yeast like Candida.
Like you can see sun exposure is extremely healthy benefiting. However, we must remember to enjoy the sun sensibly. Use a hat to protect your head and do not stay in a sun for too long.
Even a 10 minutes a day of a sun exposure, without sun protection, can give you all of the benefits mentioned above.