The Importance of the Sun

In recent decades, public health has focused on the dangers of TOO much sun. We may be fearful of getting a sunburn or even skin cancer. And now, many Americans are actually deficient in vitamin D. However, according to the NIH, only 0.1% of DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) are due to excessive UVR exposure. In other words, there may be more harm in avoiding direct sunlight than getting your dose of daily sun exposure per day. 

So, why do we NEED sun exposure? The sun provides our body with Vitamin D which is important for various functions in our body such as bone health and heart health. Sun exposure may even decrease depression. 

You should consider several factors to enhance your benefit from the sun:

• skin pigmentation (lighter skin increases body's ability to absorb UVB rays while darker skin decreases absorption) 

• Sunscreen may block the UVB rays to the skin

• Excess body fat may limit vitamin D absorption

• Clothing that limits the skin’s sun exposure

• Time of day, season, weather

Go outside and get 10-30 minutes in direct sunlight each day!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/