Is the Sun Really Bad for You?

Is the sun really bad for you? In a nutshell, if you abuse it, it is bad for you, but what isn't bad for you when you abuse it? The truth is in moderation the sun "on your skin" is VERY good for your health. Even fair skinned individuals can bask in the sun in moderate doses. There is too much media scare hype about how the sun causes skin cancer. Many things cause cancer when you abuse them.

We Need The Sun Absorbed Into Our Skin

We need the sun absorbed into our skin pores because that is how we receive real Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an important vitamin for health that helps us to have a strong immune system. Many people are not aware that they may be deficient in Vitamin D. The body that is lacking in this crucial vitamin is more prone to bone disease and weakness, rickets, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, osteoporosis, lowered immune system, and many forms of cancer.

Vitamin D is needed to utilize calcium in our body. It's fairly easy to eat plenty of calcium rich foods but having the calcium actually absorb into our system is another thing. Without adequate amounts of Vitamin D, the calcium we receive from the foods we eat, will not properly absorb into our body. Now were lacking in two vitamins.

How Much Sun Do We Need For Proper Vitamin D Dosage?

If we lay out in the sun all day, before our skin has a chance to be ready for all-day sun, we will burn. This burning on the skin is what causes cancer! If we abuse the sun when we are children and into adulthood it does extensive damage to the skin cells. Some skin cells can become so damaged they never repair themselves.

Moderation is the key. You must allow your skin to get used to the sun in doses. Fair skinned individuals should only spend fifteen to thirty minutes in the sun daily. By doing this they will be getting adequate amounts of Vitamin D. Darker skinned individuals should lay out for thirty minutes to an hour every single day. The most skin exposed to the suns rays the better.

Don't be intimidated by the sun. The sun will treat you right if you treat it right. Vitamin D is stored in the blood for a several weeks and in the fat for a few months. In the winter months you can eat your vitamin D. This is exactly what supplements are for, to supplement. Foods with high levels of Vitamin D are cold-water fish, tuna fish, cod liver oil, milk, and fortified orange juice.

When to Apply Natural Sun Blockers

If you are going to make it a day at the beach, lake, skiing, or anywhere where you will be in the sun most of the day then you will want to use something on your skin. Here is the rule to remember. If you wouldn't eat your sunscreen then it is bad for your health because what you put on your skin absorbs into your bloodstream. Chemicals in sunscreens have been known to cause reproductive problems so you will want to use something natural made with botanicals.

Studies have revealed that eating a lot of dark green and red fruits and vegetables gives some protection against burning when in the sun for longer exposures. Look for sunscreens with green tea extract, zinc oxide, and jojoba as the active ingredients.

The bottom line is sunshine on your skin in moderate doses is very healthy. We should bask in the sun every single day. Remember if you want to lay out for longer periods work yourself up to it first. Don't be afraid of the sun! The sun heals wounds, improves skin tone and complexion, helps rid acne, and even diminishes the appearance of scars, cellulite and stretch marks. Enjoy the suns rays!