Direct exposure to sunlight is healthy
Being outdoors, especially being active outdoors, helps us be healthier as we are exposed to sunlight. Sunlight (i) is the key to Vitamin D production, (ii) helps improve sleep, (iii) builds stronger bones, and (iv) helps manage stress. See Vitamin D Health Benefits, Skin Synthesis, Natural Food Sources, Deficiency and Photoprotection. See also Vitamin D from the Sun’s Rays helps Prevent High Blood Pressure.
Do sunglasses cause cancer?
There is a school of thought that extensive use of sunglasses, which diminish the sun’s ray and block UV light from entering the eyes, can cause cancer. Andreas Moritz in his book Heal Yourself with Sunlight advances that position. He is not alone. Mortiz believes that the mass introduction of sunglasses triggered a wave of cancer as natural light is being blocked to the pineal gland. The pineal gland breaks down the natural light that enters through the eyes and passes on the sunlight to other parts of the body for basic metabolism.
UV light enters your eyes and triggers the hormone which triggers melanin production in your skin. Sunshades block UV from entering your eyes reducing the hormone that triggers melanin production.
It’s been learned that every cell in our body has a Vitamin D receptor. Sunlight is needed to help our cells grow and reproduce. Wearing sunglasses may impeded that process and cause premature aging. See Vitamin D Slows Cellular Aging
Insufficient sunlight may cause a variety of ailments, including Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system.
Having noted the above, as with all things, moderation is recommended. Sun overexposure can damage the eye.
Vitamin D is a common treatment for cancers.
As a culture, are we not getting sufficient sunlight to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels. A significant percent of our population is Vitamin D deficient. Globally, studies suggest roughly one billion people are Vitamin D deficient. In the US alone, 42% of adults are deficient, while 50% of children aged between one and five and 70% of children aged between six and 11 have low Vitamin D stores. See HealthMatch 42% Of Americans Are Deficient In Vitamin D. According to a recent study by the NIH, “The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency would increase the global burden of disease.” See Global and regional prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in population-based studies.
There seems to be a strong link between Vitamin D deficiency and cancer risks. It’s interesting to note that Vitamin D supplements and topical Vitamin D are commonly prescribed for many cancer conditions, especially skin cancers.
With the above being said, it’s important to note that exposure to the sun should be gradual to prevent sunburn. However, if you are active outdoors on a daily basis, your skin likely contains sufficient melanin to protect against over UV light exposure. Fairer skinned people need to more careful about being overexposed to the sun. The prevailing modern medical community opinion is to limit sun exposure.
All things considered, seems like a good idea to ask yourself whether you are getting sufficient sunlight exposure to produce healthy levels of Vitamin D.
More about Ralph Teller