Our ancestors had to attune themselves to the suns natural cycles in order to survive, as the suns daily cycle of light and darkness regulates many of the body’s important hormonal and biochemical processes. It’s our external time keeper that keeps our internal biological clock running smoothly.
However attitudes towards the sun and its healing powers have changed quite markedly throughout history. In ancient times people used the sun to heal and prevent disease. In the modern world we mostly hear the hazards of sunlight and little about the benefits. We are told there is no such thing as a healthy tan and that the sun can give you skin cancer. Public health campaigns advertising against being out in the sun. Our previous life of hunting and gathering outdoors has been replaced by work, rest and play indoors in an artificial environment –as a result many people have very little contact with the outside world, with sunlight playing only a small part in their daily lives.
The human race evolved under the sun, and for thousands of years lived in harmony with its heat and light. Yet over the last 100 years we have lost this close contact with the sun and its healing powers. We have become afraid of it. Isn’t it time we rediscovered one of the great wonders of this world. This article will explain how and why we should welcome the sun back into our lives and teach you how the sun if used safely can play a major role in our health.
What’s in those rays?
The sun is our nearest star and produces almost all energy on earth, either directly or indirectly. Like most stars, our sun is made of 71% hydrogen, 27 % helium, and 2% other elements. The internal temperature of the sun is about 29,000,000 degrees F., while the surface is about 10,800 degrees F. The corona, which is an area around the sun that extends thousands of miles, has temperatures as high as 1,800,000 degrees F. All this energy is made by fusing about 600 million tons of hydrogen with helium every second. It would be like exploding 100 billion one megaton hydrogen bombs per second. These facts are mind boggling and hard to relate to, but without all that energy our planet would freeze and die in a matter of hours! The sunlight, along with all its energy, takes about 8 minutes to reach earth. Its warming, bright rays energizes all life. It also affects our weather, air, and ocean currents.
The sun transmits energy in the form of electromagnetic waves: radio waves; microwaves; infrared radiation; visible light; ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB); and x-rays. Only a small amount of the sun’s energy reaches us, as most of it is filtered out by the earths atmosphere, so solar radiation at ground level is composed of visible light, and ultraviolet and infrared waves. It is the Ultraviolet component of sunlight that causes the skin to tan.
Nobel Prize for medicine
Dr. Niels Finsen (1860-1904) won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1903, in recognition of his success of treating tuberculosis with ultraviolet radiation and sunlight. He was the first doctor to use sunlight as a medicine and to investigate its effects scientifically. He did more to show the importance of sun to health than anyone before or since. As a young man an attack of rheumatic fever seriously affected his heart. While studying as a medical student in Copenhagen he noticed he could work better in a sunny room and felt better out in the sun. However his medical textbooks couldn’t provide an answer why. This stimulated his interest in the subject and subsequently resulted in his lifelong study of the sun and the creation of his “light institute” to treat patients with the skin disease called lupus and turberculosis.
Today the medical literature on sunbathing is contradictory: one field of investigation highlights its benefits while another stresses its dangers. This is probably due to modern medicine trend towards specialization. As a result it’s easy to be influenced by one school of thought and miss the wider picture. There by making it difficult to see the wood for the trees or, rather, the sunlight through the trees.
The many healing benefits of the sun
While sunlight has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, in the last century much of the healing powers of sunlight have been ignored or forgotten. However in the last two decades scientists have began to understand the physiological and biochemical responses of the body to the sun and its health benefits. Did you know that sunlight kills bacteria and is even capable of doing so even when it’s passed through window glass? Hospitals with sunlit rooms have reduced bacteria in them than those with dark rooms and wards. As a result patients recover faster in sunlit hospitals. This is important as infections actually caught in hospital are now the fourth most common cause of death after heart disease, cancer, and strokes, shocking isn’t it!
Although there is no doubt too much sun can cause skin cancer, there is growing scientific evidence that healthy exposure to the healing powers of the suns rays may play a key role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. The sun gives off visible and invisible light and infrared and ultraviolet rays. It is through the ultraviolet rays that we receive healing. One of the most important vitamins for human health is vitamin D, which our bodies make when the ultraviolet rays come in contact with our skin. Our body needs vitamin D for calcium and for phosphorus absorption. Vitamin D stabilizes calcium and phosphorus in our bones and teeth. When vitamin D is lacking, bone diseases such as osteoporosis, which affects about 25% of all women 55 years and older, is possible; therefore, elderly people, as well as children, need lots of sunshine. Insufficient levels of vitamin D will cause weak hearts, poor metabolism, slow healing of bones and cuts, and rickets in children. Direct exposure to sunlight by sunbathing can greatly benefit the entire body, when done in moderation. The following list is an aid in what exposure to sunlight can do for your body:
• Sunlight kills germs and bacteria. This is nature’s way of protecting us from disease. The rooms in our homes that are not exposed to sunlight and fresh air can become damp, setting up a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Over fifty-five years ago, Dr. Lawrence Garrod, a professor of bacteriology at the University of London discovered that the dust on the floor of hospital rooms contained many types of bacteria that produced disease. He also found that sunlight would kill the bacteria in the dust particles.
• In the summer, and especially the winter, open your shades and windows to expose your home to sunlight and fresh air. This will go far in fighting colds and flu.
• May help prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer.
• Increases production of white blood cells which aids in building up the immune system.
• Increases red blood cells and promotes good circulation of the blood –remember, blood likes warmth, and will always flow to the warmest part of the body.
• Another striking effect of the suns rays on your skin is that it can lower blood pressure.
• Stimulates the liver, assisting it to break down toxins that could cause cancer and other diseases. It also stimulates other internal organs and glands such as the pancreas, stomach, kidneys, thyroid and adrenal glands.
• Cholesterol and triglyceride levels are lowered in the blood, as the body needs ultraviolet radiation to breakdown cholesterol thus protecting the heart and arteries.
• People who live closer to the equator have less chance of developing cancer of the breast, colon, lung, and ovaries.
• Its been used extensively in the treatment of rickets and tuberculosis.
• Increases melatonin levels which results in many benefits, such as slowing down the aging process and promoting better quality sleep.
• It can help people who are suffering from joint diseases such as arthritis, as the warmth of the sun’s rays will loosen up stiff and aching joints. It also helps osteoporosis
• Lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Wounds heal faster and many skin conditions are helped when exposed to the sun.
• According to new research you can naturally relieve pain with simple sunlight.
• Sunlight improves sport performance via increases the amount of oxygen going to the tissues. It can also increase your muscle strength.
• It has been found to increase serotonin production which helps prevent fatigue and depression.
• Sunlight, fresh air, and exercise combined, have an electrifying effect upon the brain and the nervous system. Try it, it really works! When stress comes knocking on your door, escape into Nature’s nature. It’s a real healing experience!
The vitamin D winter factor
The most widely recognized benefit of exposing the skin to the sun is that it activates the production of vitamin D, which is essential for the growth and maintenance of teeth, bones, a healthy immune system and many of the health benefits discussed above.
Our earliest ancestors came from East Africa, one of the sunniest regions of the world. With the passage of time they gradually migrated north and south, well away from the equatorial regions. The further they moved away from the equator the lighter there skin became. There is a tremendous difference in the amount of sun needed to synthesize vitamin D in dark and fair skin. People with Black skin require 6 times more exposure to produce similar amounts of vitamin D than people of Celtic extraction.
In the summer a few minutes of exposure to the suns rays is all that is needed to produce the daily requirement of vitamin D. However it’s important that in the summer you boost your body’s stores of this vital nutrient as during the winter months in countries far from the equator such as northern Europe and Scandinavia it is almost impossible to produce enough vitamin D from the sun alone. As a result you are almost entirely dependent on any dietary supply of vitamin D, the best source being cod liver oil. However in the traditional western diet only about a quarter of the daily requirement of vitamin D is supplied via the food you eat. So, in other words the skin has to be exposed at regular intervals to summer sunlight to get enough vitamin D to last through the winter and you should consider taking a spoon of cod liver oil every day.
Does sunshine really cause skin cancer?
Many people believe that the sun causes cancer, but as discussed above when used properly the sun can help heal some types of cancer. It does this by assisting the immune system to do its job more efficiently, the sun can be very beneficial in the healing process. The body’s metabolism is increased with exposure to the sun, thus increasing the body’s ability to rid itself of toxins. It is this build-up of toxins that can lead to cancer.
Diet is also a major cause of cancer. People today eat lots of junk food, packaged food, soft drinks, vegetable oils filled with trans fats, exposing themselves to high cancer risk. Remove these harmful nutrient sparse foods from the diet, and replace them with fresh meat, fish, vegetables, fruits nuts and clean water then together with sunlight they will be a real healing benefit to the body as Nature intended it to be.
How does your skin tan?
In strong sunlight melanin is produced in the skin and forms the basis of a suntan. Melanin is a chemical compound that acts as a natural sunscreen, whether newly formed or present in darker skin, it limits the amount of vitamin D produced. As a result it’s impossible to get toxic levels of vitamin D from sunbathing.
Each of us responds differently to sunlight. There is no one set of rules that will result in a healthy tan and a strengthened immune system and less chance of disease. Sunbathing for health is synonymous with lots of fresh air, it should be invigorating, relaxing energy giving. That’s why the best way to enjoy the sun is high in the mountains, close to the sea or in a natural breeze. Sunbathing baking in the hot sun, in warm air is not natural and is to be avoided.
Forgotten art of sunbathing for health
Build up your exposure to the sun naturally and gradually, just as our ancestors would have done. The best time of the year to sunbath is in the spring and early summer, as this slowly builds up your tolerance to the sun. Don’t cram all of your sunbathing into 2-3 weeks of the year. Often when we do get sunlight, it’s when we are on holiday abroad after many months of being indoors and fully clothed. This means the natural, slow, gradual exposure to the sun, necessary to give the skin some protection to the intensity of the Mediterranean etc sunshine does not usually take place. In such circumstances sudden bursts of strong solar radiation are not only unnatural but also dangerous. While sunscreens may prevent burning in these conditions, they should only ever be used as the last line of defence. Clothing, a hat and a long siesta better protect skin that has not had time to build up its own protection against strong sunlight and a body that has not acclimatized.
For health reasons experts seem to favour sunbathing in cool conditions of around 18 degrees centigrade as this strengthens the immune system. They advise not to bake in the sun (>25 degrees centigrade), its unnatural and unhealthy to sit in baking warm sun. You should also be careful of sunbathing in a breeze because the cooling effect on the body can give the impression that the intensity of the sun is less than it actually is.
Morning sunshine seems to be more beneficial for health than any other time of day, although scientists are unsure why. That’s probably why ancient cultures such as the Chinese attach great importance to exercising in the early morning. Today in parks all across China you see people practising Tai Chi and Qigong. In India early morning exercises begin with a ‘Salute to the Sun’.
10 Tips for sun safety
1. Frequent short exposures are better than prolonged exposure to the sun
2. Be careful of cloudy days. On an overcast day much of the suns heat is diminished, giving the sensation of safety but most of the UVB radiation gets through
3. It’s important to receive the full spectrum of the sun so don’t cover yourself with sun cream or sun block. If the sun is so strong that you will burn without them then you shouldn’t be in the sun. Be careful of the thin and sensitive skin of your face, head and neck consider wearing a hat.
4. What you eat and how healthy you are, plays a big role in how your skin responds to sunlight, and the better your diet the more benefit and protection you will get from the sun. This means focusing on fresh meat, fish, lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts and fresh water. Limit tea, coffee, packaged and junk foods.
5. Although the use of sunscreens are aggressively promoted to prevent sunburn and the risk of skin cancer, there are very good reasons for considering avoiding there use, for the following reasons;
Firstly sunscreens allow people to stay out in the sun much longer than would be the case if there skin were unprotected and there is evidence to suggest that exposure of this kind may increase the risk of skin cancers. Sunscreens only prevent again UVB radiation and not UVA. UVA penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB and more and more evidence suggests it can promote cancer and promote premature aging. In addition there is no scientific evidence to show that sunscreens prevent skin cancer.
Secondly most people don’t realise if it’s on your skin you are drinking it! Look at the ingredients on the back of the sunscreen you use and you will see many chemicals that are not healthy for you to put on your skin. The same goes for most perfumes, shampoos, deodorants etc. The skin is highly permeable and can absorb into your body some of these chemicals and that in itself is very unhealthy.
6. Avoid burning at all costs and if that means using a sun cream then choose one of the healthier organic brands such as Green people with a high sun-protection factor sunscreen (SPF 20+). Apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside, and reapply at least every 2 hours. If you are swimming or exercising you should choose a water-resistant sunscreen, and reapply it more often. Be careful to use enough sunscreen — you need about a teaspoon for your face, ears and neck, one teaspoon for each arm and leg, and more should be used for the body if it is not covered by clothing.
7. But remember, no sunscreen can block out all of the sun’s rays, so use it in conjunction with protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses. You should also keep to the shade and stay out of the sun in the middle of the day. Cotton and linen are excellent fabrics for hot weather — wear loose, light-coloured, lightweight, heat-reflecting clothing. Tightly-woven fabrics offer the best protection from the sun. Covering your arms, trunk and legs is just as important as covering your face and neck. Melanomas are most commonly found on the lower legs in women and on the back in men.
8. Sunglasses and prescription glasses should not be worn. Our eyes need the healing rays of the sun just as much, if not more, than other parts of our bodies. By wearing glasses we almost completely cut out the healing benefits of the sun as the ultraviolet rays are unable to pass through the glass. You just need to close your eyes and look at the sun as the rays can penetrate through your eyelids. However never look directly into the sun, or at an eclipse of the sun, as this will cause permanent damage to the eye.
9. Avoid direct sun exposure during the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. You should try to avoid being outdoors between 11am and 3pm during daylight savings time, and between 10am and 2pm during the rest of the year. Remember that surfaces such as water, sand and concrete reflect ultra-violet rays — you may end up with sunburn even if you are seated in the shade!
10. Do not expose babies under 6 months of age to direct sunlight as their skin is very sensitive and easily damaged.
Avoid the winter blues
Many people suffer from a mild depression in the winter months – the so called winter blues. This may be due to the fact that they spend very little time outdoors, or are confined to building that emit very little sunlight during the winter. How much time do we spend indoors? Some estimates put the figure at about 90%, and as we have seen previously without adequate sunlight you risk vitamin D deficiency and risk the diseases this can bring. Getting sunlight into buildings to ensure a healthy indoor environment is essential. Sunlight has been shown in hospitals to kill bacteria in well lit rooms.
We should remember the human race evolved outdoors under the sun and not indoors in poor artificial light. Therefore it comes as no surprise that artificially lit environments can disturb the normal functioning of the body. Low light levels interfere with the natural production of melatonin so that too much of the hormone is produced when we need to be alert, and too little at night when we need to sleep
Conclusion
Attitudes towards the sun and its healing powers have changed quite markedly throughout history. Pale skin has been, and still is, considered desirable in countries where the majority of the population works outdoors, and where a suntan is the mark of the poor. In the 1900’s society ladies used veils, parasols, hats and even skin whiteners to keep there complexion snow white. Today in the western world where few people work outside, the opposite applies: tanned skin continues to be fashionable and a sign of prosperity for many people, despite public health campaigns advertising against sunbathing. However the light and heat from the sun are indispensable to all nature. The sun is responsible for providing the energy that all plant life needs in order to grow and develop. Every meal we eat is the effect of Nature’s nature working together for our service and benefit. Nature can teach us many important lessons in life if we will observe and practice them. Humans need sunlight for health and well being, for vitality and happiness. Sunlight can prevent and help cure diseases, it has healed us in the past and can help us in the future.
Fresh air and exercise out in the sun play a much smaller role in our daily lives than they once did. The purpose of being out in the sun is to stimulate the body and enhance health not compromise it. So the optimal formulary is fresh air and a healthy moderate sun exposure. Never, never get burned you must avoid that at all costs! Sunburn increases your risk of developing skin cancer, but it can also prematurely age your skin causing wrinkles! Be careful of using sunscreen as they firstly encourage people to go out in the sun to try and get a tan when there bodies are not ready to be in strong sunlight and therefore are extremely susceptible to damage from the suns rays. Secondly they contain toxic chemicals that can be dangerous to your body.
The human race evolved under the sun, and the suns healing powers have been worshipped for thousands of years. The sun nature Apollo was the Greek nature of medicine. Inscriptions in his temple in Delphi give perhaps the best advice on life and sunbathing “All things in moderation…..Know thyself.” Build up your exposure to the sun gradually safe in the knowledge that the sunshine is a vital nutrient, just like fresh air clean water and high-quality food. Consider the sun a friend and unleash its great powers safely!
References
Dr. Lawrence P. Garrod, British Medical Journal, 1:247.(1944)
Psychosomatic Medicine Jan/Feb 2005
Journal of Clinical Oncology January 20, 2005; Vol. 23, 407-409
American Journal of clinical nutrition September 2004 80(3): 752-758
The Healing Sun, Richard Hobday
