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What to know about the health benefits of sunlight

Benefits of sunlight

By MarkPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
What to know about the health benefits of sunlight
Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

Benefits of sunlight

Of all the health benefits of sunlight, initiating the process of producing vitamin D in the body may be the best known. When UVB rays hit human skin, they interact with the 7-DHC protein there to produce vitamin D3.

People can get vitamin D from their diet and supplements, but sunlight is an important source of this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is necessary for key biological processes to take place in the body. Its benefits includeTrusted Source:

supporting healthy bones

managing calcium levels

reducing inflammation

supporting the immune system and glucose metabolism

Researchers have noted a link between exposure to the sun and lower blood pressure levels, with reduced death rates from cardiovascular issues. They suggest that exposure to sunlight triggers the skin to release stores of nitrogen oxides, which cause arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure, and may reduce the impact of metabolic syndrome.

According to other research, increased sun exposure may also protect people from the following diseases:

type 1 diabetes

multiple sclerosis (MS)

several forms of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Sunlight also supports better sleep and sets people’s circadian rhythms by regulating the levels of serotonin and melatonin.

Being in the sun generally makes people feel good, and there are many scientific reasons for this effect.

One of these is that exposure to UVB rays causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain. Their other benefits include:

promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood

boosting the immune system

relieving pain

promoting relaxation

helping wounds heal

helping people feel more alert

increasing job satisfactionTrusted Source, when a person’s workplace has access to sunlight

reducing depression

Both SAD and depression are treatable. Medication and therapy can both be effective, and some interventions harness the health benefits of sunlight.

These interventions allow people to find other ways to access these health benefits, which is particularly important for people who:

live in parts of the world where there is a significant difference across seasons in the available daylight hours

work in occupations that keep them indoors for extended periods

must limit their exposure to natural sunlight for other reasons

Light therapyTrusted Source is a standard treatment for SAD and can be an effective alternative to sunlight. Light therapy regimens, which take place under a medical professional’s supervision, require individuals to sit in front of specially constructed, very bright light boxes for a prescribed amount of time each day. Mental Health America report that light therapy is helpful in 85% of diagnosed cases.

Sunlight is essential for human health and well-being.

The health benefits of sunlight include generating the production of vitamin D, supporting bone health, lowering blood pressure, preventing disease, and promoting good mental health.

For some people, reduced exposure to sunlight, which occurs in the winter in the U.S., can lead to the significant mental health challenge of SAD, a form of depression.

SAD is treatable with light therapy, medication, talk therapy, and even vitamin D.

What are the health benefits of vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential for bone strength and may support the immune system and other functions. The human body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure. A person can also boost their vitamin D intake through certain foods or supplements.

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It also plays many other important roles in the body, including regulating inflammation and immune function.

Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin but a hormone or prohormone.

In this article, we look at the benefits of vitamin D, what happens to the body when people do not get enough, and how to boost vitamin D intake.

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About the Creator

Mark

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