Increasing sun exposure can lower cancer risk by boosting vitamin D.
Most people will tell you that too much sun exposure can raise the risk of skin cancer. Avoiding exposure to sunlight has become the holy grail of skin care. Yet some experts worry that being too cautious of sun rays could be causing more harm than good. You might be surprised to find out that sun exposure can improve your overall health and may actually prevent some types of cancers.
Sunscreen Blocks Vitamin D Too
Sun exposure has benefits, such as creating most of the vitamin D our bodies Need. Slathering on sun screen every time we expect to go outdoors may depleting our bodies of precious vitamin D, resulting in higher risk of osteoporosis, depression and other health conditions.
As far as the cancer risk goes, it’s true that excess sun exposure can increase the risk of certain types of skin cancers, but these cancers are highly treatable and rarely fatal. Melanoma, the dangerous skin cancer most of us associate with sun exposure, can actually be avoided by getting adequate vitamin D through sun exposure. One must have truly excessive sun exposure before the risk of melanoma increases.
How Vitamin D Fights Cancer
The body’s need for vitamin D goes deeper than you may realize. Increasingly, research demonstrates this vitamin regulates cell and tissue growth within the body by as much as 30%. The vitamin D we get from the sun helps wean the body of faulty cells by making them more receptive to self-terminate.
When cells fail to self-terminate their numbers eventually build up within the body, possibly contributing to the development of malignant tumors. Vitamin D is essential for many developmental stages and functions within cells that can prevent cancerous growth.
Normal levels of sun exposure are good for the skin as long as it is absorbed in normal amounts. Sun light exposure may also be protective against melanoma on areas of the body where the skin is usually clothed, or not directly exposed to the sun. That means it’s a good idea to get out in the sun for about 20 minutes in a bikini.
Health Risks Associated with Low Vitamin D
The protective attributes of the vitamin D from sunlight spreads throughout the body. People who do not receive enough sun may develop depression, or disrupted sleep cycles and an increased risk of cancer.
It’s true that skin cancer is the most common of all types of cancer, with rates on the rise. While some have associated this increased risk with a thinning ozone, others believe increased use of sunscreen may be to blame. So get out there for 20 minutes every sunny day to soak up those nourishing rays!