How good is Sunshine?

I follow the sun wherever I go. It’s warming, it fills me with good vibes and it reminds me of endless Summers and getting salty and sandy at the beach.

Is it good or bad for us? It is both according to the research and what we see, read and hear. We can get some fab benefits from what the sun brings to us and there are also the risks such as skin cancer and certain deficiencies.

How much do we need? According to the research that I have looked up it also comes down to what kind of skin type you have and that morning sun is better around 5 to 20 minutes a day. I’ve heard that being outdoors when the sun is rising starts to get your metabolism going and also sets you up for a good nights sleep.

Vitamin D is also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because it is produced in your skin in response to sunlight. Your body produces Vitamin D naturally when it is exposed to sunlight. Certain foods and supplements also provide Vitamin D. What does it actually do in our body? It regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and keeps our immune system function in check. If you don’t get enough you’re at risk of developing bone abnormalities (soft bones aka osteomalacia or fragile bones aka osteoporosis). Using sunscreen, spending more time indoors and having darker skin can affect your ability of getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin D.

Some facts for you about Vitamin D:

• Fights disease

• Reduces depression

• Boosts weight loss

Some foods that are sources of Vitamin D:

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Egg Yolk

• Fortified milk, cereal, yoghurt, orange juice

It can be hard to get your dose of Vitamin D each day through sun exposure and food alone so taking a supplement can help.

Sunshine responsibly...

Sammi

xxx