This article was originally entitled Sunshine On My Shoulder but The King, not being one for headlines, either conservative or John Denver in nature suggested the present. I consented, as it is all about him.
A number of articles have piqued my interest about the real healing effect of the sun. I’ve always believed the sun is good for you and can remember always trying to get some sun on my body, summer or winter.
Of course the current medical opinion will have you believe the sun is our enemy and we should stay out of it at all costs. This confuses me, if the sun is so dangerous, why is it the giver of life? Without sunlight nothing can live, grow or thrive. Yes, you must be careful with the sun, burning your skin is detrimental but getting 15-20 minutes of sun exposure on your skin daily is actually good for you. Not to mention it gives you a healthy glow!
The sun gives us vitamin D, an essential nutrient for the body. It’s good for our bones, boosts immunity and helps regulates blood pressure just to name a few benefits. Most Americans, it says in studies, have a low vitamin D count, some dangerously! Could this be contributing to the high rates of osteoporosis, frequent illnesses and high blood pressure?
Vitamin D is produced by the skin when exposed to ultra violet light from natural sunlight which can prevent the growth of cancer cells. I ask this, Why don’t the medical people want us in the sun?
Conspiracy theory time, Cancer–it’s big business, it’s an enormous money maker. Imagine if we had high enough vitamin D levels in our body, then our body’s could prevent a cancer developing and wouldn’t need surgery, chemo and radiation. This of course wouldn’t make any money for the drug companies or the health insurance companies. No good for the bottom line but GREAT for the health of all.
The current level of recommended vitamin D is 200-600iu but in an article I read it was revealed that in actual fact the body needs at least 1400iu.
We’ve been brainwashed against the sun, being told we’ll get skin cancer. While this is true to a certain extent, covering yourself with toxic chemicals in the form of sunscreen to stop this seems ludicrous to me. Where are the studies on the effects of prolonged use of those chemicals? Perhaps they give us other cancers while hindering absorption of vitamin D that can help us prevent it in the first place?
Let’s block nature by slathering our own and our children’s delicate skin, the body’s largest organ, with dangerous toxic chemicals. That’ll fix it!
The increase in skin cancer in young women in America has been linked to ultra violet tanning bed exposure and NOT the sun. So much so that there are moves to try and limit their use and regulate an industry which really doesn’t tell you the whole truth about the dangers of using these beds.
It it a documented fact that the internal cancer rates (lung, colon, breast etc) in North America are higher in black people and higher in the northern states where there is less exposure to the sun due to the distance from the sun with the seasonal changes and the inability for darker skin to absorb as well.
I believe that there is much misinformation about the benefits of the sun. We have seen an increase in rickets in children, due to the shift in thinking over the last 30 years, to completely cover your child from head to toe in clothing or cover in 50+ sunscreen while in the sun.
While some danger is present, it has been whipped into a frenzied reaction with parents never letting their children go out in the sun. I know schools in Australia have new policies and have adapted their uniforms to completely cover children. All outdoor play areas are now covered and children play indoors more than ever.
As controversial as it sounds, I believe we need to put the sunscreen away, get outside and get some rays! If you are in the sun during the middle of the day, the intensity can cause burning of the skin, so for protection wear a light cotton shirt and a hat but during other times of day let the sun warm your skin, soak up those healing rays and be healthy!
Referenced articles:
skincancer.org
medscape
naturalnews.com/vitamind1
naturalnews.com/vitamind2
scientificamerican.com
webmd.com