The Benefits of Sunlight

[Guest guest]

The Benefits of Sunlight

JoAnn Guest

Aug 17, 2003 15:20 PDT

 

 

 

Everyone feels better when the sun comes out, but sunbathing has had

such a bad press for so long that the health benefits of getting out

in

the sun have been almost forgotten by a generation that now believes

sunbathing is as bad for your health as smoking.

 

It is true that the wrong kind of exposure to the sun will increase

your

risk of skin cancer, but the right kind of safe sunbathing can still

make you happier and healthier.

 

For centuries, doctors and natural healers relied on something

called Heliotherapy -

 

using sunlight for healing - to mend wounds, treat

bone diseases such as rickets or lung infections like tuberculosis

(TB)

and to simply help their patients rebuild strength after anillness -

but all the known benefits of sunbathing were ignored when

researchers

began to link the alarming rise in the number of cases of skin

cancer

over the last 20 years with over-exposure to the sun.

 

The damage caused by staying too long in intense sunlight does

increase the risk of skin cancer but safe sunbathing has been shown

to

help alleviate a host of problems ranging from chronic skin

conditions

including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

 

It can help build strong bones and teeth, lower cholesterol levels,

prevent heart disease, and ward off depression.

 

Even better, according to some health experts, sunshine

may even prevent more cancers than it causes.

 

 

Stronger Bones & Teeth--

 

Everyone knows you need calcium for strong bones and teeth, but to

make sure the calcium you do eat can do its job, you also need a

good

supply of vitamin D -

which protects against bone loss.

 

Vitamin D is not really a vitamin at all--

 

but a hormone-like substance that the body can only make when it

gets

enough sunlight.

 

Since 90% of westerners now spend 90% of their waking time indoors,

the

majority of people do not get enough exposure to sunlight to make

enough

vitamin D.

 

The UK's department of health says we need 400IUs (international

units)

of vitamin D a day to stop the body from leaching calcium from the

bones.

 

 

The trouble is, the typical British diet only provides, on average,

100

IUs per day.

 

Also, the body is better able to use the vitamin D it makes itself

than

that which it gets from the diet.

 

What all this means is that a growing number of people who are at

risk

of being deficient in vitamin D and thus also at risk of brittle

bone

disease.

 

Osteoporosis now affects one in every three women and one in every

12 men in the UK.

 

Described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as `the

silent epidemic " there are often no symptoms until the first

fracture, by which time you may have lost a third of your bone

density.

 

In women, the menopause can accelerate the problem because levels of

the female hormone oestrogen, which helps bones absorb calcium,

declines.

 

 

The World Health Organisation, (WHO), is now predicting that the

number of hip fractures could increase six-fold to over six million

by

the middle of this century.

 

This is why osteoporosis is being called an epidemic, yet one

solution

could be as simple and as free as safe

sunbathing.

 

In studies of elderly populations who have suffered a

broken hip, up to 40% have been shown to be lacking in vitamin D.

There

are also more hip fractures in winter when bone density is at its

lowest.

 

Enhanced Immunity--

 

 

Sunlight triggers the body to make its own vitamin D, which is

crucial not only for strong bones and healthy teeth ,but for keeping

the

immune system healthy too.

 

Studies have shown, for example, that exposing the body to sunlight

or

even ultraviolet light from an artificial source increases the

number of

white blood cells or lymphocytes.

 

These are the body's primary defence against the onslaught of an

infection and are an important part of your immune response to the

organisms that cause illness.

 

Vitamin D also plays a role in increasing the amount of oxygen your

blood can transport around the body which, in turn, will boost your

energy levels, sharpen your mental faculties and give you an

improved feeling of wellbeing.

 

Less Cholesterol & Lower Blood Pressure--

 

 

Few people realise that sunlight actually lowers blood cholesterol

levels and so can be a powerful ally in the fight against theWestern

World's biggest killer - heart disease.

 

This works because the body needs the ultraviolet light in sunlight

to

breakdown cholesterol, which at high levels could otherwise block

the

arteries.

 

Both cholesterol, which is needed to make the sex hormones, and

vitamin D are derived from the same substance in the body - a

chemical

called squalene, which is found in the skin.

 

There is a new theory that in the presence of sunlight, this

squalene is

" converted " to *vitamin D* but in its absence, it is converted to

*cholesterol*.

 

Sunlight can also affect blood pressure. Levels are higher during

winter and lowest in the summer.

 

The theory is that without enough vitamin D, triggered by exposure

to

sunlight, the body increases levels of *parathyroid* hormone.

 

This hormone not only causes calcium to leach from the bones but

also

raises blood pressure, leading to a greater risk of cardiovascular

disease.

 

Protection Against Cancers--

 

Population studies have now shown how women living in less sunny

regions in America have a 40% higher chance of dying from breast

cancer

than those living in sunnier parts such as Florida or Hawaii.

 

It was reported that women who lived in sunny regions and who had

high

exposure to sunlight reduced their risk of this disease by up to 65%.

 

 

 

This protective effect is believed to be linked to vitamin D, which

has

been shown in laboratory tests to inhibit cancer cell growth.

 

Not many people realise that the skin cancers or malignant melanomas

that can kill develop most often on those body parts that are not

usually exposed to sunlight – i.e. the back of the legs and the

torso.

 

Also, skin cancer rates are higher in less sunny parts of Europe

than those closer to the equator.

 

Again, nobody can explain why this should be so but one theory is

that

sunlight works to stimulate the body's own defences against all

cancers.

 

In the early 1990s, doctors who reviewed all the medical literature

examining the health risks of exposure to the sun concluded that the

benefits of moderate exposure outweigh both the risk of skin cancer

and premature ageing.

 

Their paper, which was called Beneficial Effects of Sun Exposure on

Cancer Mortality was published in the US journal Preventive Medicine

and

reported that safe sunbathing would slash the number of deaths from

breast and colon cancers in America by a third.

 

Better Mood, Better Sleep--

 

 

Sunlight also triggers the increased production of the feel-good

brain chemical, serotonin ---

 

which, as well as controlling your sleep patterns,

body temperature, and sex drive, lifts your mood and helps ward off

depression.

 

The reason so many of us suffer from the winter blues or even a

condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - which now

affects 20% of the population - -

 

is that the body makes less serotonin in the winter.

 

Popular prescription antidepressants such as Prozac work to

increase serotonin levels in the brain and so does sunlight, which

is why many SAD sufferers eventually resort to some artificial

indoor

light-box treatment.

 

One intriguing new and, as yet, untested suggestion is that during

the summer, it is possible the body builds a kind of " sunlight

memory

bank " to help those of us living further from the equator through

the

darker winter months.

 

 

 

In the UK, for example, you cannot make vitamin D from sunlight

between

the months of October and March because the UVB radiation with the

right

wavelength that is needed to achieve this is only present at ground

level from April to September.

 

 

This means you are dependent on the vitamin D store you have built

up

the previous summer.

 

The theory then is that the amount of serotonin your body produces

in winter will be directly related to the amount of exposure to

sunlight you enjoyed the previous summer.

 

 

Another reason sunlight is so important to good health is that you

can only get a *quarter* of the vitamin D you *need* from your diet.

 

The rest must come from the sun. Also, as we get older, our bodies

find

it harder to absorb the vitamin D that does come from the diet.

 

 

 

Protection Against Multiple Sclerosis--

 

 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system.

It happens when the myelin sheaths, which cover and protect the

nerve

fibres, are damaged, leading to symptoms such as tremors and even

paralysis.

 

The cause is not known but what scientists have noted is

that exposure to sunlight in childhood appears to dramatically

reduce

the risk of this disease in later life.

 

In Switzerland, for example, MS is much more common at low altitudes

than at high altitudes, where the intensity of ultraviolet radiation

is much stronger.

 

One theory is that greater exposure to bright sunlight in some way

bolsters the immune system to prevent the damage to the nerve fibre

sheaths that underlies this disease. Again, researchers cannot

explain

why this should be so, unless vitamin D is involved.

 

In Norway, there are far fewer cases of MS among coastal populations

who eat more fish - an excellent source of vitamin D - than their

inland

counterparts.

 

Also in Japan, where the diet again includes a large proportion of

fish,

there are lower than expected rates of this

condition. But as we have seen, the body makes even better use of

the vitamin D it produces itself, after exposure to sunlight, than

the

vitamin D it gets from food.

 

 

 

Safer Sunbathing

 

 

You do not need to burn or tan to get the exposure you need. Just 20

minutes of safe sunbathing a day is enough. The safest way to

benefit from the healing powers of sunlight, say experts, is to

build

your exposure slowly throughout the year and to avoid burning by

staying

in the shade when the sun is at its most intense or you are on your

holiday.

 

There are two types of burning rays, UVA and UVB. Both cause burning

and

 

tanning but UVB was always thought to be the more damaging of the

two since it causes more rapid burning of the skin. In fact, until

recently when it was discovered that UVA actually penetrates much

deeper, health experts thought UVA was harmless.

 

What they now know is that not only does it penetrates far more

deeply, causing damage to the collagen that gives skin it

elasticity,

than

UVB, far from being harmless, the UVA wavelength is more closely

associated with malignant melanoma and premature ageing than UVB.

 

And here's a worrying irony - those countries which have taken the

threat of skin cancers seriously and which have encouraged the

population to use strong sun-protection creams over the last 20

years are still reporting increased rates of malignant melanoma.

 

These

include the US, Canada, Australia, and the Scandinavian countries.

The

rise is also particularly marked in Queensland, Australia, where

sunscreens were first introduced and heavily promoted by doctors.

 

Scientists are now concerned that sunbathers may have been using

high-protection creams that only blocked the UVB rays and that this

might explain why, despite and even because of the use of certain

suncreams, skin cancer rates have risen.

 

To sunbathe safely remember that frequent, short exposures are not

only safer but more beneficial than a prolonged dose of sunlight.

 

Also, early morning sunshine has been identified as the most

beneficial.

 

 

http://www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/articles.asp?article_ID=451

[Guest guest]

Dear Ms. Guest,

I appreciate your articles for the variety of subjects they

cover and the information you provide in each one. However, the

below excerpt from " The Benefits of Sunlight " seems in agreement with PhaRMA's

claims for their SSRI's.

Prozac does not " work to increase serotonin levels in the brain " , rather it

inhibits the reuptake of serotonin.

The short term result may be to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain

but the long term result may be to cause the cessation of serotonin production,

i.e. lower levels of

serotonin in the long run.

So far, only certain essential amino acids (protein) can

synthesize serotonin.

 

Thank you for your posting energies,

 

Diana L.

 

JoAnn Guest wrote:

The Benefits of Sunlight JoAnn Guest Aug 17, 2003 15:20 PDT

 

 

[excerpt]

 

Better Mood, Better Sleep--

 

 

Sunlight also triggers the increased production of the feel-good

brain chemical, serotonin ---

 

which, as well as controlling your sleep patterns,

body temperature, and sex drive, lifts your mood and helps ward off

depression.

 

The reason so many of us suffer from the winter blues or even a

condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - which now

affects 20% of the population - -

 

is that the body makes less serotonin in the winter.

 

Popular prescription antidepressants such as Prozac work to

increase serotonin levels in the brain and so does sunlight, which

is why many SAD sufferers eventually resort to some artificial

indoor

light-box treatment.

 

One intriguing new and, as yet, untested suggestion is that during

the summer, it is possible the body builds a kind of " sunlight

memory

bank " to help those of us living further from the equator through

the

darker winter months.

 

 

 

In the UK, for example, you cannot make vitamin D from sunlight

between

the months of October and March because the UVB radiation with the

right

wavelength that is needed to achieve this is only present

 

 

 

 

 

Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard

http://antispam./whatsnewfree

[Guest guest]

, DJL <djlieb>

wrote:

> Dear Ms. Guest,

> I appreciate your articles for the variety of subjects they

> cover and the information you provide in each one. However, the

> below excerpt from " The Benefits of Sunlight " seems in agreement

with PhaRMA's claims for their SSRI's.

> Prozac does not " work to increase serotonin levels in the brain " ,

rather it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin.

> The short term result may be to increase the amount of serotonin

in the brain but the long term result may be to cause the cessation

of serotonin production, i.e. lower levels of

> serotonin in the long run. So far, only certain essential amino

acids (protein) can synthesize serotonin.

> Thank you for your posting energies,

> Diana L.

 

Hi Diana,

 

Thanks Diana. I appreciate your comments. You're quite welcome.

The article I posted previously primarily to confirm suggestions

regarding the cholesterol lowering action of vitamin D from the

entrance of the sun's rays.

 

The role of seratonin appears to be a very complex subject and there

are many aspects to consider. Here is a brief synopsis of an article

which may help explain its role more fully.

 

 

" Dangerous drugs called " serotonergic agents " are also known as

Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) because they throw

the metabolism of serotonin entirely out of " whack " . They tend to

increase the level of serotonin in the brain but decrease the

process by which the body uses it. "

" What is serotonin? "

" Serotonin is an essential chemical produced by the body. Where is

it found? It's in the blood and gastric mucous membranes of all

mammals. What does it do? It helps regulate mood and mental health.

Consider this: Adequate serotonin is an essential chemical for good

mental health.

 

Elevated levels of serotonin have been found in persons with

psychosis or schizophrenia, mood disorders, organic brain disease,

mental retardation, autism and Alzheimer's disease.

 

Low levels of serotonin metabolism are found in those with

depression, anxiety, suicide,violence, arson, substance abuse,

insomnia, violent nightmares, impulsive behavior, reckless driving,

exhibitionism, hostility, argumentative behavior, etc.

 

Adequate is, obviously, the preferred level of serotonin where no

medication is needed.

 

Elevated levels of serotonin might indicate a need to lower the

level, but SSRIs aren't the answer.

SSRIs further elevate serotonin levels and restrict its use in the

brain.

Low levels of serotonin might indicate a need to raise the level,

but SSRIs aren't the answer to that either.

 

Again, at the same time SSRIs elevate serotonin levels, they also

interfere with its " metabolism " .

Both elevated levels and low levels of serotonin are worsened when

SSRIs are ingested.

 

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered

that the serotonin concentration in the brain is directly

proportional to the *concentration* of brain and plasma tryptophan.

 

A more recent randomized double-blind study compared the efficacy of

oral 5-HTP (100 mg T.I.D., without a decarboxylase inhibitor) to

that of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

 

(SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin by postsynaptic

receptors, thus increasing the available supply of serotonin in the

synaptic cleft.)

 

The two were found to be equally effective, and 5-HTP was better

tolerated. It should be noted that 5-HTP was given in the form of

enteric-coated pH-sensitive capsules which dissolve in the small

intestine, thus preventing conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin in the

stomach.

 

In contrast to MAO inhibitors and SSRIs, medications which act by

blocking normal physiologic functions, 5-HTP supports normal

function in its role as a serotonin precursor.

 

Correcting serotonin deficiency has been called a " functional-

dimensional approach " in the treatment of depression.

 

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is formed by the addition of a hydroxyl

group (-OH) to the 5 carbon of the indole ring of tryptophan.

Conversion of tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan is catalyzed by the

enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase.

 

5-HTP functions as the precursor for serotonin, and is converted to

serotonin in a pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) dependent reaction

catalyzed by the enzyme L-amino acid decarboxylase.

 

Synthesis of serotonin in the brain requires an adequate supply of

either tryptophan or 5-HTP as precursors.

 

The supply of tryptophan available for conversion to 5-HTP depends

on a number of factors, including nutritional status and competition

between tryptophan and other amino acids for transport across the

blood brain barrier.

 

Disturbances in the serotonin metabolic pathway may disrupt central

nervous system functions which utilize serotonin as a

neurotransmitter.

 

Administration of 5-HTP bypasses the conversion of tryptophan to 5-

HTP. 5-HTP readily crosses the blood brain barrier and becomes

available for serotonin synthesis.

 

Serotonergic neurons (nerve cells stimulated by serotonin) regulate

sleep, appetite, nociception (the perception of pain), and

aggressive behavior.

 

Serotonin is metabolized to 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindolacetic acid) which

is its primary breakdown product.

The concentration of 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid is used as an

indicator of serotonin turnover in the CNS serotonin level.

Psychiatric patients have been found to have low levels of 5-HIAA in

the CNS fluid, suggesting serotonin deficiency.

 

Enhancing the amount of serotonin in the body is, by the way, one of

the accepted medical approaches to treating depression. Fluoxetine

(Prozac), the popular antidepressant drug, works by helping the body

hold onto its serotonin.

 

Foods rich in B vitamins. Neurotransmitters, the chemicals that

allow nerve cells to communicate and function properly, play a role

in depression.

 

Nutritionists suggest getting enough of certain B vitamins--folate

and vitamins B6 and B12--to keep neurotransmitter levels high.

 

Good sources of folate include pinto beans, navy beans, asparagus,

spinach, broccoli, okra and brussels sprouts. As far as vitamin B6

is concerned, high levels occur in cauliflower, watercress, spinach,

bananas, okra, onions, broccoli, squash, kale, kohlrabi, brussels

sprouts, peas and radishes.

 

You might also try adding the amino acid phenylalanine to your diet.

 

In one study, more than 75 percent of people with severe depression

showed rapid improvement while taking supplements of phenylalanine

and vitamin B6.

Since I generally prefer getting nutrients from foods, I'd

recommend the four richest food sources--sunflower seeds, black

beans, watercress and non-gmo soybeans.

How about a black bean-soybean soup with watercress, garnished with

a sprinkling of sunflower seeds?

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Melanoma.html

[Guest guest]

I " pick my spots " depending on the Season, the time of day, and how bright

the sun and I get just a little sun, every day. That good sun and lots of pure

oxygen go a long ways towards keeping a man healthy and whole.