God's sustenance and beneficence are seen in the rain as in the sunshine, but in the last few months, we have seen much of the latter, although rains are now beginning to fall. The weather has been quite hot in the last few months and many of my friends have been complaining about this unprecedented change of weather. Most public health messages of the past century have focused on the hazards of too much sun exposure. Sunshine, especially early in the day before it’s at its brightest, can be good for you in many ways. Sunlight is a vital source of vitamin D, which is produced when UVB rays interact with the 7-DHC protein in human skin to create vitamin D3. While vitamin D can also be obtained through diet and supplements, sunlight plays a crucial role in ensuring adequate levels of this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is important for supporting healthy bones, managing calcium levels, reducing inflammation, and enhancing immune system function and glucose metabolism. Another type of vitamin D is obtained in the diet from selected food sources, such as fatty fish or egg yolk. Visible light synchronises the human biological clock, and exposure to natural light, especially in the early morning, plays a crucial role in regulating the body's internal clock, which helps promote better sleep at night. As people age, their eyes become less efficient at absorbing light, making it more challenging to maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, getting morning sunlight becomes increasingly important for older adults to help improve sleep quality and address common sleep difficulties. Morning sunlight seems to contribute to weight management or keeping weight away. Spending twenty to thirty minutes outside between 8am and noon can make a difference, with earlier exposure being more effective. Scientists suggest that sunlight may help shrink fat cells beneath the skin’s surface. More time in the sun often leads to increased physical activity, which supports weight loss and provides numerous other health benefits. Also, it could be that people who have lower BMI happen to spend more time outdoors, which causes them to get more sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can lower the risk of mood disorders, especially seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that usually occurs when sunlight is scarce. While the exact cause of seasonal affective disorder is not fully understood, reduced sunlight is thought to disrupt the brain’s hypothalamus, making it more difficult for your circadian rhythm to regulate functions like waking up. This disruption can lead to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, such as feelings of despair and fatigue. When it comes to natural disinfectants, few things are as powerful and readily available as the sun. Scientists have learned that a particular type of ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun can be very effective at killing germs. Some manufacturers have built special ultraviolet lamps for use in certain types of industries where it's important to be able to kill nearly all germs. Vitamin D accumulates in the intestinal cells, where it plays a crucial role in enhancing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for regulating calcium flow in and out of bones. Adequate vitamin D production, achieved through moderate sun exposure, is critical for maintaining healthy bones. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones cannot form properly, leading to conditions like rickets in children, which causes growth retardation and skeletal deformities, such as bowed legs. Historically, sunbathing has been recommended as an effective treatment for rickets. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to the development and worsening of osteoporosis and osteomalacia in both men and women. Sunlight is undeniably essential for human health and well-being, offering a range of benefits that extend beyond mere warmth and brightness. Despite concerns over too much sun exposure, particularly during hotter months, the health advantages of sunlight are significant. Sunlight is a vital source of vitamin D, crucial for bone health, calcium management, and immune function. It also plays a key role in regulating sleep patterns, especially in older adults, and helps in weight management by promoting physical activity and potentially reducing fat cells. Exposure to sunlight can lower the risk of mood disorders like seasonal affective disorder and has been historically recommended as a natural treatment for conditions like rickets. As we navigate changing weather patterns and increasingly unpredictable climates, it's important to remember that moderate sun exposure remains a cornerstone of good health, supporting both physical and mental well-being.
