Why Choose Sunshine for Vitamin D and Immune Health?

If you know me, you know I love my sunshine. I always think to myself, “the sun gives me so much life, allowing me to feel more alive and vibrant.” It helps to elevate my mood and affects my physiology helping me feel better overall.

Sunlight is an essential for life on earth for a variety of reasons. It is a source of energy, light, warmth and also has profound changes in the human body.

It would be nearly impossible to list all of the benefits received from sun exposure because it affects every system of our body from endocrine, nervous, immune and digestive systems.

A study I recently read stated

“Vitamin D plays several roles in the body, influencing bone health as well as serum calcium and phosphate levels. Furthermore, vitamin D may modify immune function, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with numerous health outcomes, including risk of rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults, increased risk of fractures, falls, cancer, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, and other diseases such as multiple sclerosis.”
Br J Biomed Sci. 2013;70(4):161-72.

Vitamin D production is a big part in sunlight exposure but certainly not the only benefit.

So why do I hear my grandmother’s voice in my head when laying outside, “you’re going to get skin cancer…or your skin is going to look like mine some day!”

What she knows is what she has been taught by the news or mainstream advice all these years. She’d be right, if I was exposed too much causing skin damage and sunburns consistently.

What she doesn’t know is that the sun actually boosts our vitamin D levels in our body which is used on almost every cellular level. It is your best friend when it comes to having a rockin immune system.

However Grandma wasn’t completely wrong when warning me about the sun either.
Overexposure of the sun during certain times of the day may very well be damaging to the skin.

Safe exposure would be going outside for a walk or laying in the sun is ideal between the hours of 8-10 am and 3-6 pm when the UV rays are lower. This allows for a pleasurable experience and health promoting immune boosting activity.

You are more likely to have more health concerns from sun avoidance than you are sun exposure. We are designed and meant to be out in the sun. Our earliest ancestors had to hunt and gather while being exposed to sunlight throughout the duration of the day.

That being said, I challenge you to get out and enjoy some sun! However, remember to sunbathe responsibility!

Your best defense against any illness is a good offense. Add this tip to your daily regimen!

During the colder months with sun exposure may not be an option. Eat foods high in Vitamin D and I highly suggest taking a daily D3/K2 supplement to help boost blood loves.