Certain vitamins are known for their essential roles in maintaining health. One of them, Vitamin D stands out as a crucial player, often associated with bone health, immune function, and overall well-being.
However, what if I told you that the term “vitamin” might be a misnomer when it comes to this sunshine nutrient?
Vitamin D is possibly one of the most important players for our long-term health – as studies have shown that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, control infections, and reduce inflammation.
Vitamin D: It’s More Than Just a Vitamin
Traditionally classified as a vitamin, Vitamin D exhibits properties that challenge this conventional label. Unlike other vitamins that need to be obtained solely through diet, Vitamin D is better synthesized by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. This unique characteristic blurs the lines between vitamin and hormone, as the body’s ability to produce Vitamin D is dependent on sunlight exposure and subsequent activation processes within the body.
Sun: Nature’s Vitamin D Factory
There is a reason people love to sun bake, or walk or sit in the warm embrace of sunlight – it not only feels good but also serves as a natural source of Vitamin D production within your body. When UVB rays from the sun penetrate the skin, they trigger a series of reactions that convert a precursor compound into Vitamin D. This process is beautifully orchestrated by our bodies, ensuring that we have a steady supply of this essential nutrient.
Why Sunlight is better than Supplementation.
In an era where we choose supplements and pharmaceutical medication over healthy food and sunshine – our health food stores and pharmacies are more than happy to supply us. The shelves are lined with vitamin D supplements – yet the best is the most natural source – sunlight!
While supplements are extremely beneficial for individuals with limited sun exposure or specific medical conditions, or darker skins (the darker your skin the less you absorb vitamin D) they often fall short in replicating the holistic benefits of sunlight. Here is why sunlight still is best:
- Optimal Absorption: Sunlight triggers the natural synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin, ensuring efficient absorption and utilization by the body.
- Balanced Production: Unlike supplements, which deliver fixed doses of Vitamin D, sunlight exposure allows the body to regulate its production based on an individual’s needs, helping us maintain optimal levels without the risk of overdosing.
- Additional Benefits: Sunlight exposure offers a myriad of benefits beyond just Vitamin D synthesis, including mood enhancement, regulation of circadian rhythms, and stimulation of nitric oxide production, which supports cardiovascular health.
- Skin Benefits: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a variety of skin problems, such as dryness, redness, psoriasis, and eczema. Vitamin D helps regulate the cellular replication cycle, which helps prevent premature ageing. Stimulate antioxidant defences to fight harmful free radicals and promotes collagen production.
Finding the Balance: Sun Safety and Vitamin D Synthesis
While sunlight is a potent source of Vitamin D, it’s essential to strike a balance between reaping its benefits and protecting your skin from harmful UV radiation. This article is not giving you a carte blanch excuse to go lie out in the sun and bake yourself!
Know your skin type: If you have fair skin, you require less sun exposure to produce Vitamin D compared to those with darker skin tones. Make sure you don’t spend too much time out in the sun – ensure it is always in the early morning or afternoon to avoid burning.
The right time: Aim for moderate sun exposure such as 10 -20 minutes daily before 10 am and after 3 pm.
Protection when needed: When heading outside into the sunshine all day make sure you use natural zinc-based sunscreen -many chemicals in our sunscreen have been linked back to being the main cause of cancer. Best protection is to wear protective clothing and seek shade in the middle of the day.
Supplement thoughtfully: If you’re unable to get sufficient sunlight due to factors like geographic location or lifestyle, consider Vitamin D supplements after consulting with a healthcare professional.
Embrace Sunshine for Optimal Health
In conclusion, while Vitamin D may be traditionally classified as a vitamin, its unique synthesis process challenges this notion, blurring the lines between vitamin and hormone. The sun emerges as the ultimate provider of this essential nutrient, offering a natural and holistic approach to maintaining optimal Vitamin D levels. By embracing sunlight safely and mindfully, we can harness its benefits for improved health and vitality, one sunbeam at a time.
Start every day with 10 – 20 minutes of sunshine on your face – even if it is just popping your face out of the window!
Had a little too much sunshine? Got carried away trying to increase your vitamin D and are now suffering from red sore shoulders and a burnt nose? The Everything Skin Cream will fix that!
If you would like one on one holistic beauty and wellness advice – book a glowing skin and wellness consultation via zoom with me!
Yvette xx
Thank you for reading my blog!
Hi!
I am Yvette van Schie, I am a holistic beauty therapist, skin nutritionist, skincare developer and makeup artist. I am passionate about sharing real beauty advice with a whack of reality.
For over 30 years I have worked with the best in the beauty and health industry as a trainer, educator and product formulator and I still do – so my knowledge is diverse – I am not blinkered when sharing my information with you because everyone I speak to shares what they know, and I turn it into easy to digest information because I want my readers to feel empowered to make their own decisions and to feel that they are fully in control of their beauty and well being.
