Originally published September 14 2013
Catch late summer and fall sun rays to experience significant health benefits
by Michelle Goldstein
(NaturalNews) The power of the sun for health and healing are far reaching. Optimal times to store up on the sun's health benefits are between 10am and 3pm. Overwhelming research shows that sunlight improves mood, athletic performance, blood pressure, immunity and bone health while helping to prevent cancers, heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Humans cannot survive without the sun. They have evolved to absorb the sunrays needed according to their proximity to the sun.
Store up on the sun's benefits now
Absorbing UVB rays between noon and 2pm is the most optimal for gaining the beneficial vitamin D needed for so many health benefits. The amount of time needed depends on one's proximity to the sun and skin type. If one obtains the sunlight needed between May and October, the body can utilize stored vitamin D throughout the winter months, when most countries' latitudes are too far from the sun to absorb any more healthy sun rays.
The sun has proven to be beneficial against almost every disease process known to man. Studies show sun exposure and vitamin D increases muscle mass and strength. Research demonstrates that repeated UVB exposure is equally effective to medications in reducing high blood pressure. The sun creates endorphins in the skin correlated with positive mood, explaining why sunning feels so good. Risk of heart disease, auto-immune disorders and the major cancers are reduced by increased sun exposure times. Research is beginning to explore the health role of photoisomers, components related to vitamin D and created by the sun, which cannot be obtained through supplementation.
Humans have long depended on sunlight for survival and have evolved as needed
While supplementing with vitamin D can improve health and is often beneficial and necessary, there is no real substitute for direct sunlight on the skin. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or higher essentially block the formation of vitamin D, so direct exposure of skin to the sun without sunscreen is essential to reap the sun's many health benefits.
Humans have long worshiped the sun and have understood its many health benefits. See http://www.naturalnews.com. Individuals have evolved to obtain the necessary amounts of sunlight needed for survival, dependent on distance from the sun. African Americans, with their dark skin pigmentation, which serves as a natural sunscreen, require longer periods in the intense sunlight provided close to the equator to obtain optimal health. In contrast, the fair skinned individuals of Ireland have evolved to obtain ideal amounts of sun from the often cloudy days with indirect sunlight common to that country.
Fascinating vitamin D facts
Every cell in the body has the independent ability to convert vitamin D to the active form necessary for cell activity. Vitamin D in the body has been shown to halt cancer growth. It is impossible to obtain vitamin D toxicity from the sun. Vitamin D obtained from the sun stays active in the blood twice as long as vitamin D obtained through food sources. Sunlight interacts with one's diet rich in vitamins A, C and E to create soft skin but will produce accelerated aging in the skin of one who consumes processed foods, including refined, processed vegetable oils. Careful use of suntan booths can safely replicate sun benefits. One theory explaining the extinction of dinosaurs involves their lack of access to sunlight caused by asteroid explosions. The benefits of sunlight continue to be denied by dermatologists, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Additional Resources
The Vitamin D Council, http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ and Dr. Holick's website http://drholick.com/ are excellent information sources, along with the resources cited below.
Resources for this article include:
Holick, Michael. 2010. The Vitamin D Solution. Penguin Group: USA.
Kime, Zane. 1980. Sunlight. World Health Publications: CA.
http://www.naturalnews.com
About the author:
Michelle is a mental health therapist who incorporates holistic approaches into her counseling practice. She has 25 years of experience successfully counseling individuals, couples and families.
Michelle became passionate about holistic health, healing and politics, after immersing herself into the world of alternative medicine looking for answers to a family member's health crisis. Beginning in 2008, Michelle learned that many standard health care recommendations, which she had long trusted, actually contribute to causing disease.
Michelle's health articles can be found at the following sites:
http://holistichealthtogo.com/
http://www.michellegoldsteinmsw.com/
https://twitter.com/holistictogo
https://www.facebook.com/goldsteinhealth
Michelle is a mental health therapist who incorporates holistic approaches into her counseling practice. She has 25 years of experience successfully counseling individuals, couples and families.
Michelle became passionate about holistic health, healing and politics, after immersing herself into the world of alternative medicine looking for answers to a family member's health crisis. Beginning in 2008, Michelle learned that many standard health care recommendations, which she had long trusted, actually contribute to causing disease.
Michelle's health articles can be found at the following sites:
http://holistichealthtogo.com/
http://www.michellegoldsteinmsw.com/
https://twitter.com/holistictogo
https://www.facebook.com/goldsteinhealth
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml