As a 57-year-old Caucasian woman living in Utah, I am at risk for low vitamin D levels. Alongside the weekly sublingual supplementation recommended by my doctor, the obvious solution I follow to prevent low vitamin D levels is by receiving adequate sunlight. Sunshine is important to our health in more ways than one. Read more about sunlight deficiency here.
The bodies largest organ, our skin, is designed to work together with the liver and kidneys to synthesize vitamin D with minimal exposure to the sun (about 20 minutes per day). Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, and when stored in the body, can sustain a person for around two months before the fat stores are depleted. Sunlight is free, and when accessed naturally the skin will never overproduce vitamin D - though if you rely on supplements you can take too much, which may lead to toxicity.
Sunlight as ‘light therapy’ has been used historically by mankind; referred to as heliotherapy and phototherapy. Medical uses of sunlight have treated conditions such as rickets, depression, arthritis, gout, psoriasis, scleroderma, acne, insomnia, fighting infection, and more.
This advice is not a substitute for medical care. Speak to your doctor, investigate the research on this topic, and become better informed in regards to managing your health.
Be Well, ~Tiffany
*Blog post first published October 3, 2019
