Sunshine

May 17th, 2011

Without it we would not exist. Nothing would. All earth’s energy comes directly or indirectly from the sun and as the sun’s rays hit earth, it is harnessed in a myriad of different ways. The most apparent of these must be the storage of energy by plants – photosynthesis. Generally, plants deprived of sunshine will wither and die rapidly. We can only benefit from the plants if the plants have benefitted from the sun. It’s imperative. It’s life.

We need the sun directly too. Why do we love being outside when it’s warm? Why are my cats sun-worshippers? Why do my chickens sunbathe – not for a tan, that’s for sure! Nature gives us all the clues we need; we like it because we NEED it for life.
You could be forgiven for thinking that we really do not need it – it will burn us, give us skin cancer, wrinkle our skins ‘prematurely’ – we must avoid the sun at all costs or we must apply a wet suit before venturing out into this evil. We (I include me) the medical profession are responsible for this nonsense.  We have trotted out this mantra almost, in our efforts to provide health advice. “To avoid skin cancer, stay out of the midday sun. Or, if you must go out, apply a high factor sun screen or cover up.” (Oh and wear a hat – I never did – they don’t suit me!)

So, now we are seeing the results of vitamin D deficiency as it is made in the skin with the energy from the sun.  The result will be poor immunity, heart disease, bones that break easily, cancers (especially of the colon) and there will be more to be discovered. (There may be other factors in conjunction with low vitamin D levels.) These diseases are widespread in the western world.
So what should we do? Be sensible. That’s what we should do. You can get most of your vitamin D requirement from frequent short exposures to the sun when it is high in the sky. Do not burn, but give yourself long enough to “pink” your skin. The vitamin is created with the oils in the skin and will be absorbed over a few hours. Fair skins scavenge the UVB rays in a very short time. Dark/black skins will need considerably longer.
 
Winter can be a problem.  Vitamin D is available in food but not at the optimum levels acquired from the “life-giver”.  Liver, egg yolks, butter, green leafy vegetables (but only with a knob of butter as vitamin D needs animal fat for proper absorption) oily fish and shellfish are good sources.  Or better still, have a winter holiday in the sun! Sorry, information is free but I can’t afford hols for everyone!
Now, strip off, get out there and enjoy the sun, as we’re supposed to!