On the 1st day of summer, I like to remember my simple summer policy:
“Sun's out, Guns out.”
The American Academy of Dermatology has a zero-tolerance policy with the sun. They tell us to lather on the sunscreen. Put on a hat. Cover up. Get in the shade. But be sure to take that Vitamin D supplement. This advice never added up to me...
We know cardiovascular disease and overall mortality increase the further you move away from the equator. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with nearly every chronic illness. And most of us are deficient (up to 85%).
The association between the sun, vitamin D, and health is so strong that research by Dr. Lindqvist equates SPF 50 to a pack of Marlboros:
"Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor of a similar magnitude as smoking in terms of life expectancy."
While sun exposure is known for increasing vitamin D production, that’s not it...
Sun exposure releases a number of critical compounds in the body like nitric oxide which lowers blood pressure and serotonin and endorphins which make you feel good. It regulates circadian rhythms that improve sleep. It's been shown to decrease the risks of cancers, mental health disorders, autoimmune diseases, and even improve fertility and metabolic syndrome.
It is important to avoid skin damage, but the sun gets all the blame even though we know outdoor workers have half the melanoma rate as indoor workers.
The real risk stems from being indoors 24/7, having "seed oil skin," and then vacationing for a week and getting burnt to a crisp.
The current sun exposure guidelines need to step out of the dark ages.
