Health and Wellness Naturally Series 01 – Vitamin From Above

We were taught that the Earth is tilt at 23 degrees approximately. Do you know why? So that we can have our 4 seasons, right?

Yes, and more to that. By tilting, the Earth is able to receive the sunlight that we need. Our crops can grow, our plants can grow. We can enjoy the beautiful flowering plants in the gardens. That’s for the plant kingdom.

For the animal kingdom especially for the human race, the sunlight is like life abundance to us. Unknown to the many of us, Vitamin D is produced under our skin by this exposure to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight.

Studies had shown that it is just not possible to get adequate Vitamin D from what we eat. Exposure to sunlight is the only reliable way, better than anything else, to have that amount of Vitamin D and it is free and natural.

When we are expose to sunlight, the ultraviolet-B ray start a modification of a cholesterol-related molecule beneath our skin. Thus Vitamin D is created and then integrated into our circulatory system, providing us the Vitamin D that we need.

In fact, Vitamin D comes in many forms and the two most important forms to our human bodies are the D2 and D 3 forms. This Vitamin D3 is also known as the “sunshine vitamin” that is produced by exposing ourselves to sunlight.

Generally, we need only 15 to 20 minutes of exposure could generate enough for the day.

Studies have shown that almost every part of our human cells from our brain right in to our bones needed this Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important as it helps us biologically for the followings :–

Immune system – When we are exposed to sunlight, our immune systems would be strengthened due to the increase of white cells in the blood.

Mood and depression – When we are exposed to sunlight, many studies have shown that the value of serotonin is higher. These studies were done in places where the four seasons occurred. Serotonin took the depression out of us and generally, most of us have a “feel-good” feeling”. Let face it, even in winter, do we like a grey winter or a bright winter day? So, wake up to the sunlight!

Bones and teeth into preventing osteoporosis – Everyone knows that our bodies need calcium for strong bones and teeth. This is where the Vitamin D plays the role for the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D needs to be present.

Manage your weight – Sunlight increases the metabolism in our bodies, so that translated into more calories being burned. Try jogging in bright warm weather and on grey days. You will notice the difference. When we had outdoor activities on warm bright days, we feel more “physically work-out”. But the feeling after the work-out is much, much better compare to one you did on grey weather days. At the same time, you feel your muscle tones better.

Lower cholesterol level – Beneath our skins, there are large amount of cholesterol, which is important to prevent dehydration. But too much an amount of cholesterol could lead to other health matter. A daily dose of sunlight would actually convert these cholesterol underneath the skins and cholesterol from our blood would surface to under our skins.

Balances our hormones – When we wake up to a bright morning, there is a higher probability that you feel much fresher. Studies have shown that when we open our eyes to a bright morning, our pituitary gland control our hormone production to the other endocrine glands. Our endocrine system within us is a factor especially in regulating our mood, metabolism, growth and development. These are known as slow bodily process which the endocrine system is in charge of. We will be more alert throughout the day too.

Other benefits — There are many other benefits which associate sunlight with our human bodies too. Studies and/or our own experiences have shown that the following areas benefited from sunlight are the increases of oxygen in our blood, discourages the growth of cancer and improve the health of cancer patients and improve of our liver function.

Last but not least, care must be taken to minimise the risk of skin cancer and/or premature aging of skin. Go outdoor. Start with 10 to 15 minutes daily during the mid morning. Do move your hands and legs, stretch your hands, face the sun, with your eyes closed and feel the warmth.

As you move your body, feel your blood circulating. If you feel you are “heating” up, go under shade. Do not sit but loosen up. Feel the coolness return. Enjoy a sip or room-temperature plain water.

Just a gentle reminder, try not to use sun block or suntan lotions when outdoor.

You will feel great.