30% of Australians are vitamin D deficient. The easiest way to source Vitamin D naturally is through Sunlight.
When you compare vitamin D deficiencies to melanoma rates (0.05% diagnosed annually) it's clear that we are Sun Starved. With the slip, slop, slap campaigns being used internationally, we have been lead to fear something that does us so much good!
Nature requires balance, and our Sun requirements are no different.
Insufficient Vitamin D can lead to
- Bone disorders (osteoporosis)
- Immune disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Type 1 diabetes (in children)
- Pregnancy issues/infant health
- Thyroid disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
It is also linked to colon, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Vitamin D isn't the only benefit though!
Sunlight triggers areas of the retina which promote serotonin and melatonin production.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that increases mood and correctly regulates appetite.
Melatonin is a hormone (chemical signal) responsible for our sleep/wake cycle.
But during Autumn and Winter
Days are shorter and the Suns rays are weaker. The resulting lowered vitamin D, serotonin and melatonin levels can give those who are not proactive a case of Seasonal Affective Disorders or SAD :( aka The Winter Blues.
So how much Sunlight is enough?
In Australia the Healthy Bones organisation has given this guide
For those of you around the globe check if your country has recommended guidelines. If not I recommend using common sense. Aim for 20 minutes of quality Sun bathing time on 20% of your body per day. But only if this doesn't result in burning.
Keep in mind that sunscreen and clothing with reduce the positive affects!
Sunlight is crucial for your body! Reducing disease and promoting good health and happiness
So don't be scared of it, use it in moderation. Just like everything else in life balance is key!
Sources:
http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight#overview1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07315724.2015.1039866
https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/vitamin-d
https://melanoma.canceraustralia.gov.au/statistics
http://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/vitamin-d/
Thanks for reading! I hope this article has empowered you to live a healthier life and you share your new knowledge with others.
Yours, with Purpose
Thanks for this, I heard the "blue light" that we get from computer screens are also pretty harmful. Where are you from?
I have heard the same thing! This is also the reason why looking at screens before bed makes it hard to sleep. I am living on the east coast of Australia. It's the middle of winter here and a lot of my clients are suffering from this haha. Thought I would make a post for Steemit as well
Thanks for your support mate!
You can download blue light filters on your phone and PC, like f.lux. I have them on mine. I also noticed the latest windows 10 upgrade comes with a built in option. It's in settings>display>night light.
I wanna check that out. Is Settings under Control Panel?
Some people like to watch Dr Pimple Popper on youtube before going to sleep. Apparently it helps you go to sleep.
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I'm mostly curating in #science and am always glad to see quality posts like yours peeking out between the garbage and plagiarism!
Hey thank you for finding value in my post and thinking that others will find value in it also!
I look forward to seeing if it makes the cut for issue #22 :D
I'm nominating it for issue #24 :P
Awesome I look forward to seeing how I go :)
Yes!!!! Sunshine is sometimes the best cure :)
Indeed it is! A research project at the University of Pittsburgh stated that natural light helps patients heal. The patients exposed to natural light also took fewer pain pills.
Source http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco
It's interesting that you bring this up because when I was in Australia i was so shocked by how none of my friends wanted to go in the sun! Everyone was afraid of the hole in the ozone and getting burnt! I went to the beach (no burn) and they all called me crazy but here's the proof! I always pictured everyone in Oz, on the beach with their surfboards before this ;)
Hope you have a sunshiney day!
This doesn't surprise me! Skin cancer got to such high levels at one point that people went the other way and feared the Sun which lead to serious deficiencies... Just like food and exercise and everything in life it's all about moderation!
Thanks heaps for your support and comments H2H! I really appreciate it
Definitely a true story :) That´s why I love to get outside at all possible times and maybe, because it´s just better than sitting inside :)
Loved this article! I noticed you are a personal trainer, thats awesome good for you!:) Its unfortunate youre on the other side of the globe haha Im in Canada:P Keep up the great work buddy:) xoxox @harrynewman
Hey thank you so much for your support! I have a friend currently living in Canada :) Followed to show support and build a positive, healthy community on steemit!
Awww my pleasure man! Thats awesome, where about In Canada? Thanks I appreciate! Yes I agree with you. Having a healthy lifestyle is the core of life;) See ya around 😘 😘 @harrynewman
Toronto, ON. She loves it over there. Currently working as a model and killing it
Oh thats cool!! . Its about 6 hours of where I am (Montreal). By curiosity, do you know which agency shes working with?
Great read. Upvoted and resteemed. It's amazing how the medical community would rather us buy vit D rather than tell us to go in the sun. I've been making a real effort to get my kids and myself outside more this year. Thanks for the article!
Very informative, i know i always feel a lot better after getting some sunshine!
Ufff... fortunately I never got sick!
Steemitri - The Mannequin Blogger
I wish I was that cool @steemitri . Humans are so needy sometimes. Sun, air, shelter, food, water. It's all too much.
Great post!! I came across you through your feature on @ocd :D