Benefits of Sunshine - Spiral Eye News July 2010

In this Issue -

Benefits of Sunshine
Moss and Volcanoes
THE GIFT OF READING - Talking Book and Braille Services

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Benefits of Sunshine

"Step into the sun, step into the light..."

We need sunlight for good health. Some people may have gone too far trying to avoid skin cancer.

Studies have shown that repeated short exposures to sunlight strengthen the immune system and have a number of other health benefits. The benefits of sunshine include:
- lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar
- speeds the elimination of toxic chemicals
- makes trace minerals more accessible to the body
- reduces jaundice
- improves many skin conditions, such as acne, psoriases, and fungal infections
- helps to prevent osteoporosis
- lowers risk of many cancers, such as ovarian, colon, rectal, prostate, and breast cancer.

Sunlight stimulates the skin to produce Vitamin D which is necessary for calcium absorption and utilization. We need vitamin D and calcium for good health. When exposed to sunshine, the skin produces vitamin D quite efficiently., as much as 10,000 IU before the skin turns pink. Not all of this will be absorbed, as vitamin D washes off. It takes 2 or 3 days for it to be fully absorbed through the skin, so avoid using soap on your skin after sun exposure. Plain water washes off less vitamin D and is also kinder to dry or sensitive skin.

A healthy amount of sun exposure is about 15 minutes a day in summer, 30 minutes in the other seasons. It depends on the time of day, latitude, altitude, and how much skin you expose. Work up to it gradually to avoid sunburn. Overexposure is harmful. Protect your face, as it's always hanging out year-round. Use sunscreen or cover up if you're going to be out in the sun for long periods. Also, routinely check your skin for any suspicious signs of possible skin cancers.

The actual cause of cancer may be the chemical interactions between sunlight and unhealthy foods (processed, refined, and hydrogenated). Naturopaths may advise moderate sun exposure, a healthy diet, and vitamin D supplements. Medical doctors may advise complete sun block and supplemental vitamin D. The NIH says that it's safe to take up to 2000 IU of vitamin D per day.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression, chronic pain, osteoporosis, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, some kinds of cancer, and maybe even autism.

Sunshine is also necessary for a healthy mood. Lack of adequate sunlight can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms include depression, loss of energy, oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, and overeating. Even in summer, if you stay indoors all day (such as at your computer or on your couch), you can be light-deprived. Get outside or spend time near a bright window. In winter, bright light therapy is a natural way to treat SAD without drugs.

As always, do what works best for you, and check with your health-care provider.

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them."
- Albert Einstein

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Moss and Volcanoes

Portland had only 3 entirely sunny days between the spring equinox (March 20) and the summer solstice (July 21). Wow, no wonder the moss was growing like gangbusters! Of course, we did have a few of our partly cloudy, partly sunny days.

By July 12, we already had more rain than any entire month of July on record. (Oregon weather record keeping began in 1890.) This unusually cool wet weather may be related to the eruptions of Icelandic volcanoes which closed airports in Europe.

"Whoever said sunshine brings you happiness has clearly never danced in the rain."

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THE GIFT OF READING

Talking Book and Braille Services provides incredible opportunities for Oregonians who enjoy the gift of reading. Services such as audio books, NFB-NEWSLINE, down-loadable audio books and Braille books are used by thousands of Oregonians each day.

To continue offering these wonderful services, they depend upon you and your generous gifts. You can send a gift by check (250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301), by visiting their secure website at
GiveToTBABS.org
with a credit card donation, or call 1-800-452-0292 and they will assist you with your credit card donation. Your gift is always tax deductible.

All the users of Talking Book and Braille Services, their staff, and their volunteers appreciate your generosity. Every donation is a wonderful gift....the gift of reading.

Talking Book & Braille Services
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St NE
Salem OR 97301-3950
(503) 378-5389 or (800) 452-0292
e-mail: tbabs.info@state.or.us
website:
www.tbabs.org

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor."
- Henry David Thoreau

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