Sunlight: Benefits of moderate sun exposure

1. Overexposure to the sun can cause sunburn or heat stroke, among other things. In the long term, the risk of skin cancer also increases and signs of skin aging can also be seen more quickly due to the harmful effects of UV radiation in sunlight. However, it is important to be sufficiently exposed to sunlight as this is essential for overall growth and development. Sunlight also helps the body to respond to stressful situations. The sun is also needed to maintain blood pressure, regulate insulin release and convert fat and carbohydrates into energy. In addition, the same UV rays that sometimes lead to skin diseases are actually useful for the cure or prevention of a number of conditions. However, moderate exposure is always required.

2. Overexposure to the sun can lead to sunburn or heat stroke, among other things. In the long term, the risk of skin cancer also increases and signs of skin aging can also be seen more quickly due to the harmful effects of UV radiation in sunlight. However, it is important to be sufficiently exposed to sunlight as this is essential for overall growth and development. Sunlight also helps the body to respond to stressful situations. The sun is also needed to maintain blood pressure, regulate insulin release and convert fat and carbohydrates into energy. In addition, the same UV rays that sometimes lead to skin diseases are actually useful for the cure or prevention of a number of conditions. However, moderate exposure is always required.

What is enough sun exposure?

1. How much sun exposure is sufficient is difficult to answer and is different for everyone. Various factors play a role in this: skin color, age, health history, diet and geographic location. Fair-skinned people need 5-15 minutes of exposure to the sun's rays two to three times a week, on the arms, hands and face. This is about thirty minutes for people with a dark skin color. It is possible to stay outside longer, but the use of sunscreen, sunglasses

2. How much exposure to the sun is sufficient is difficult to answer and is different for everyone. Various factors play a role in this: skin color, age, health history, diet and geographic location. Fair-skinned people need 5-15 minutes of exposure to the sun's rays two to three times a week, on the arms, hands and face. This is about thirty minutes for people with a dark skin color. It is possible to stay outside longer, but the use of sunscreen, sunglasses

Treatment of jaundice

1. Babies with jaundice

Treatment of skin diseases

1. Sunbathing relieves the symptoms of psoriasis in most patients with this chronic skin disease that causes red, dry patches to thicken the skin. A treatment by light (phototherapy) is a possible treatment of psoriasis, which is therefore also possible in the form of exposure to the UV rays of the sun. Fungal infections can also be cured with sunlight. It is possible to heal eczema (chronic skin disease with dry skin and itchy skin) with the power of sunlight. Vitiligo can also be treated well with exposure to the sun's rays. In this autoimmune condition, the patient has white patches on the skin

2. Sunbathing relieves the symptoms of psoriasis in most patients with this chronic skin disease that causes red, dry patches to thicken the skin. A treatment by light (phototherapy) is a possible treatment for psoriasis, which is therefore also possible in the form of exposure to the UV rays of the sun. Fungal infections can also be cured with sunlight. It is possible to heal eczema (chronic skin disease with dry skin and itchy skin) with the power of sunlight. Vitiligo can also be treated well with exposure to the sun's rays. In this autoimmune condition, the patient has white patches on the skin

Protection against asthma

1. Adults and children with poorly controlled asthma (chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs) have significantly less vitamin D in the blood than healthy people. Adequate exposure to sunlight increases vitamin D levels. This is especially helpful for asthmatics who are on corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory drugs) as they are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency

2. Adults and children with poorly controlled asthma (chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs) have significantly less vitamin D in the blood than healthy people. Adequate exposure to sunlight increases vitamin D levels. This is especially helpful for asthmatics who are taking corticosteroids (powerful anti-inflammatory drugs) as they are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency

Myopia protection

1. Sunlight is also good for eye health. Moderate amounts of sunlight during life, especially in the teens and young adulthood, reduce the risk of nearsightedness. However, too much direct sunlight results in eye damage. This leads to blurred vision and cataracts more quickly

Protection against depression

1. Sunlight helps patients with depression, especially those who suffer from winter depression, a form of seasonal affective disorder. Early morning sunlight also reduces the length of hospitalization in patients with bipolar disorder (mental illness: mood disorder)

Protection against cancer

1. Prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer are more common in patients with little exposure to the sun. Too much exposure to the sun is not good because it increases the risk of skin cancer

Hair growth promotion

1. The body is able to produce vitamin D through sunlight. Vitamin D stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss. It is important to always apply a sunscreen (especially during long outdoor activities), but completely depriving yourself of the beneficial effects of the sun's rays is not a good idea. This is because the body likes to receive vitamins it needs for healthy skin

2. The body is able to produce vitamin D through sunlight. Vitamin D stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss. It is important to always apply a sunscreen (especially during prolonged outdoor activities), but completely depriving yourself of the beneficial effects of the sun's rays is not a good idea. This is because the body likes to receive vitamins it needs for healthy skin

Improvement of sleep cycle due to exposure to UV sun rays

1. The eyes need light to help set the body's internal clock. Sunlight is required for the body to release serotonin, while darkness stimulates the body to release melatonin

Lowering blood pressure

1. Exposure to the sun's rays lowers blood pressure. Almost half of people have high blood pressure (hypertension). Moderate exposure to the sun's UV rays causes a significant drop in blood pressure. Lower blood pressure values ​​help reduce the risk of stroke (insufficient blood supply to the brain with mental and physical symptoms) and heart disease

Decrease in cortisol levels

1. Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases appetite. A high cortisol level leads to weight gain more quickly

Reduction of the risk of diabetes mellitus (diabetes)

1. Vitamin D has a preventive effect against diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Vitamin D consumption in early life is strongly associated with a lower risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus

Reduction in the risk of multiple sclerosis

1. Exposure to sunlight reduces the risk of multiple sclerosis

Vitamin D and plenty of sunlight

1. The sun is one of the richest sources of vitamin D (sunlight vitamin) which is essential for good health. By constantly applying sunscreens and lotions to the skin, underabsorption of this valuable vitamin occurs in the body. Vitamin D is essential for the health and strength of bones and teeth, supporting the immune system, protecting against dementia and brain aging, as well as minimizing asthmatic symptoms. Vitamin D also has protective effects against cancer. Typically every tissue in our body is regulated by the active form of vitamin D - 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1.25 [!OH] 2D3), some of which are involved in calcium metabolism, the immune system and neuromuscular functions. Vitamin D deficiency occurs due to a lack of exposure to the sun in the open air.