Here is a section of a nutrigold article that talks about the need for vitamin D from sunlight. Vitmain D is a key vitamin used much in functional medicine to solve a variety of problems.
‘ December 2010, seven major charities and organisations released a joint statement announcing a U-turn on the conventional advice to avoid direct sun exposure especially during the hottest hours.
The statement follows research into the vitamin D we produce from sunshine through skin exposure to UVB rays. Scientists suggest we may need to maximise our summertime production of this crucial vitamin through short sessions of unprotected exposure to the midday sun. Sun cream, clothing, glass and cloud cover will all block these critical UVB rays, and we have greater access to the rays when the sun is highest in the sky.
What is more, it seems that in temperate climates such as Northern Europe, we are naturally deprived of UVB rays from October right through till April. So we need to ensure we build up plenty of reserves of vitamin D in the summer sun, and perhaps consider adding in a vitamin D supplement in the cooler months.
Vitamin D is important for healthy bones, and it can also be converted into a potent hormone that can trigger the release of over 200 genes from our DNA. In recent years it has been the subject of countless studies linking its relevance to a healthy immune system, and its deficiency to a vast array of conditions including asthma, heart disease, depression, multiple sclerosis and cancer.
The charities are keen to point out that where sunbathing is concerned, “little and often” is the best approach. For most people, 15 minutes will be more than enough: longer exposure will not produce more vitamin D, and may increase the risk of skin damage. Conventional advice still links UV damage to the skin with potential skin cancer.’
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