Surprising Things You Never Imagined the Sun Could Do For You

Photo credit: bigstock.com

If you haven’t heard, sunlight is perhaps the best source on earth for vitamin D, and some exposure is needed every day for us to keep adequate levels of this vital nutrient. More than just giving our bodies vitamin D, there are numerous other health benefits at work when we spend time in the sun. This isn’t just positive thinking either; there are numerous scientific studies that are drastically changing the way we look at sunlight and our health.

Every day there appears to be a growing body of research that shows how vital vitamin D is for disease prevention as well as for good health. Your body changes sunlight into vitamin D, which affects your DNA through your body’s vitamin D receptors. Scientist have so far identified almost 3,000 genes that are directly influenced by vitamin D levels and throughout the body, there are numerous vitamin D receptors.

Keep reading and find out some of the surprising things you never imagined about sunlight can do for you.

1. Increase Energy Levels

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine posted a theory that human beings are much like plants in that we also are able to convert energy from exposure to sun light. They believe that our skin is something similar to solar panels that exchange sunlight into energy, the way plants use the process of photosynthesis.

2. Helps With Pain

The journal Psychosomatic Medicine published a study that showed there was a link between sunlight and pain levels. This study found that patients who had undergone spinal surgery felt better and recuperated faster if they were place on the side of the hospital that got more sunlight. Patients that were exposed to 46 percent more sunlight in this study stated that they felt less stress took 22 percent fewer pain pills and cost the hospital 21 percent less in terms of pain control medication that had to be given.

3. Boosts Metabolism

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology published research that showed that exposure to the sun improves the rate at which the body metabolizes fat. It’s believed that there is some link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity. Although that link isn’t exactly understood yet, researchers believe that restoring normal levels of vitamin D might make weight loss easier.

4. Increases Alertness

The journal Behavioral Neuroscience published research that shows that when subjects were exposed to at least 6 hours of natural sunlight they say they felt more alert than those who were exposed to only artificial light during the day. Those who only sat under regular lighting and got little or no sunlight also reported that they often had feelings of fatigue or felt sleepy during the day.

Continue to Page 2