Sunlight and Cancer Prevention
Medical researchers are growing increasingly excited about a wonder drug that may significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many other diseases -sunshine.
A recent study found that men who are deficient in vitamin D, which your body produces in response to sunlight, have more than double the normal risk of suffering a heart attack.
In fact, men with vitamin D levels below 15 nanograms per milliliter had 2.5 times the risk of having a heart attack or dying -even after controlling for all other possible risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and high lipid levels.
Another study found that low levels of vitamin D increased the risk of diabetes, and yet another linked vitamin D deficiencies to an increased risk of dying from breast cancer.
These findings all join a growing body of evidence indicating that an adequate level of the vitamin, which many people can get from 20 minutes in the sun each day, is crucial to maintaining good health.
Los Angeles Times June 10, 2008
Archives of Internal Medicine June 9, 2008; 168(11):1174-1180
Kylea's Comments:
So much emphasis in the past has been put on the dangers of sunshine. It's true that over-exposure to sun can lead to problems; however, more and more evidence is suggesting that sunlight is one of the greatest disease prevention measures we have.
Consider this: northern regions that have less sunlight have more heart-attacks then southern regions with higher sunlight levels.
Recent studies have showed that low vitamin D levels more than doubled the risk of heart attack and death. Additionally, other studies have found that getting a daily dose of vitamin D helps the natural anti-inflammatory response, which can help to dramatically reduce congestive heart failure.
Again, the sun has been seen as a negative. Evidence suggests the opposite. The most important thing is avoid getting burned. Enjoy between 1/2 hour and 2 hours of sun everyday if possible. The further away from the equator the more time in the sun you will need.
Of course, you always want to avoid getting burned, but generally speaking you can safely spend anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours in the sun every day with beneficial effects. If you have dark-colored skin or live far from the equator, you will need to spend more time in the sun than someone who is light-skinned living close to the equator.
The best possible way to get vitamin D is from the sun but if you find it difficult to spend consistent time outdoors, you may want to consider a good vitamin D3 supplement.
Sunlight and Cancer Prevention
Medical researchers are growing increasingly excited about a wonder drug that may significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many other diseases -sunshine.
A recent study found that men who are deficient in vitamin D, which your body produces in response to sunlight, have more than double the normal risk of suffering a heart attack.
In fact, men with vitamin D levels below 15 nanograms per milliliter had 2.5 times the risk of having a heart attack or dying -even after controlling for all other possible risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and high lipid levels.
Another study found that low levels of vitamin D increased the risk of diabetes, and yet another linked vitamin D deficiencies to an increased risk of dying from breast cancer.
These findings all join a growing body of evidence indicating that an adequate level of the vitamin, which many people can get from 20 minutes in the sun each day, is crucial to maintaining good health.
Los Angeles Times June 10, 2008
Archives of Internal Medicine June 9, 2008; 168(11):1174-1180
Kylea's Comments:
So much emphasis in the past has been put on the dangers of sunshine. It's true that over-exposure to sun can lead to problems; however, more and more evidence is suggesting that sunlight is one of the greatest disease prevention measures we have.
Consider this: northern regions that have less sunlight have more heart-attacks then southern regions with higher sunlight levels.
Recent studies have showed that low vitamin D levels more than doubled the risk of heart attack and death. Additionally, other studies have found that getting a daily dose of vitamin D helps the natural anti-inflammatory response, which can help to dramatically reduce congestive heart failure.
Again, the sun has been seen as a negative. Evidence suggests the opposite. The most important thing is avoid getting burned. Enjoy between 1/2 hour and 2 hours of sun everyday if possible. The further away from the equator the more time in the sun you will need.
Of course, you always want to avoid getting burned, but generally speaking you can safely spend anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours in the sun every day with beneficial effects. If you have dark-colored skin or live far from the equator, you will need to spend more time in the sun than someone who is light-skinned living close to the equator.
The best possible way to get vitamin D is from the sun but if you find it difficult to spend consistent time outdoors, you may want to consider a good vitamin D3 supplement.