Sunshine and Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that supports many bodily systems including the skeletal, immune, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to the sun, so it is imperative to get as much sun exposure as you can get while not getting burned. Contrary to its name, vitamin D is not actually a vitamin but a hormone.
Vitamin D is involved in many processes in our body, therefore there are several symptoms of deficiency. Some of the most common symptoms are depression, muscle weakness, increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment as we age, and seasonal affective disorder. Since Vitamin D is actually a hormone, deficiency is actually a hormonal imbalance. Seasonal affective disorder is a clinically documented disorder that occurs most often in northern climates where rates of depression soar during the winter months. It is estimated that 75% of Americans have low levels of vitamin D, which constitutes an epidemic. You can check your levels by getting a blood test.
For optimal uptake of vitamin D we need 40% of our torso to be exposed to the sun because we don't create any Vitamin D through sun exposure to our extremities such as our hands and face. The important thing is that you want to get enough sun, but you don't want to burn. If you are aware and in touch with your body, you will feel the moment when you have had enough sun and any more will be detrimental. Before burning, find shade or cover your body from the sun.
The lighter your skin tone, the less time it will take to meet your individual needs and the darker your skin tone the more time you will need. If you live in the north and cannot get year round sun exposure there are a few options. You can vacation somewhere tropical, use a vitamin D sun lamp, or take a supplement. Enlightenment literally means the state of being within light so find yourself out in the sun and experience a greater state of health.
Vitamin D is involved in many processes in our body, therefore there are several symptoms of deficiency. Some of the most common symptoms are depression, muscle weakness, increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment as we age, and seasonal affective disorder. Since Vitamin D is actually a hormone, deficiency is actually a hormonal imbalance. Seasonal affective disorder is a clinically documented disorder that occurs most often in northern climates where rates of depression soar during the winter months. It is estimated that 75% of Americans have low levels of vitamin D, which constitutes an epidemic. You can check your levels by getting a blood test.
For optimal uptake of vitamin D we need 40% of our torso to be exposed to the sun because we don't create any Vitamin D through sun exposure to our extremities such as our hands and face. The important thing is that you want to get enough sun, but you don't want to burn. If you are aware and in touch with your body, you will feel the moment when you have had enough sun and any more will be detrimental. Before burning, find shade or cover your body from the sun.
The lighter your skin tone, the less time it will take to meet your individual needs and the darker your skin tone the more time you will need. If you live in the north and cannot get year round sun exposure there are a few options. You can vacation somewhere tropical, use a vitamin D sun lamp, or take a supplement. Enlightenment literally means the state of being within light so find yourself out in the sun and experience a greater state of health.
