Some of you may have noticed over the last few days that Spring has well and truly sprung (hmmm, as I write this it is pouring rain. I hope I have not spoken too soon!) Ever noticed how great it feels to wake up to blue skies filled with sunshine. Well, that's because Sunshine is the best provider of the essential vitamin, vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis. Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.
Further to this, low vitamin D levels have been implicated in Cancer, Diabetes, Depression and Mental Illness. A study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry found 53 patients in a psychiatric clinic in Australia, with bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or schizo-affective disorder, had vitamin D levels about 29% lower than a group with no mental illness. The findings prompted researchers to question whether vitamin D supplements could reduce mental illness.
Low vitamin D levels have also been implicated in Cancers of the Breast, Colon and prostate.
According to Dr William Davis over at 'The Heart Scan Blog' you can get adequate ammounts of vitamin D, or you can;
–Take Actos to mimic the enhanced insulin sensitivity generated by vitamin D
–Take lisinopril to mimic the angiotensin-converting enzyme blocking, antihypertensive effect of vitamin D
–Take Fosamax or Boniva to mimic the bone density-increasing effect of vitamin D
–Take Celexa or other SSRI antidepressants to mimic the mood-elevating and winter “blues”-relieving effect of vitamin D
—Take Niaspan to mimic the HDL-increasing, small LDL-reducing effect of vitamin D
–Take naproxen to mimic the pain-relieving effect of vitamin D
That's a pretty long list of medication to take when you can get the same effect by spending some time out in the sun.
Now you would think that living in a country with the sunny climate that we have here in Australia would guarantee that we get adequate sun exposure to raise vitamin D levels. Well that may not be the case. You see, sunscreens block the absorbtion of vitamin D. Australians have lived in a state of great fear from sun cancer for at least the last 20 years. We have been to slip, slop and slap before going out in the sun and to make sure that we stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Most moisturisers and make ups come with at least an SPF15+ sunscreen in them. Schools an public places are constantly preaching the sun smart messgage and ensuring children have hats on and providing shaded areas to play. Perhaps, while trying to protect ourselves from sun cancer we have actually been making ourselves sick and more prone to many other types of cancer.
Now I am not advocating that you eschew sunscreen altogether, but I am going to encourage you to get a sensible ammount of sun exposure to raise your vitamin D levels. Spring is the perfect time to get some sunshine on your skin. 10 mins with the sun shining on your unprotected arms, hands and face should be sufficient to get you levels up. If you are really worried about burning, then try to get your sun in the morning or evening, therefore avoiding the sun at it's strongest.
Yes, you probably will get a tan out of this. But forget what the ad says, a tan is not dangerous. It is your bodies way of providing it's own sun protection. A tan formed in the spring will offer you more sunprotection in the summer months.
So, what are you waiting for? Get off the computer and get out into the sunshine.
No comments:
Post a Comment