The Physiotherapy Center: Hip and Knee Pain

NEWSLETTER Your Resource for Health, Wellness & Caring For Your Body

Do you miss the days when it was “OK” to be in the sun all day? Although there are good reasons to protect yourself from too much exposure to the sun, there are also health benefits to getting out in the sun! At The Physiotherapy Center LTD, we believe that part of staying healthy is staying informed. Too often, we hear that the solution to any health problem is medication, but the reality is there are a lot of benefits to getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the health benefits of sunlight! Some fun facts about sunlight: • Bone health: One of the best-known benefits of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D levels. For most white people, a half-hour in the summer sun produces enough sun to avoid bone-related disorders (i.e., rickets and osteoporosis). For darker-skinned people, the exposure time needs anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to get sufficient vitamin D. This is a significant reason why darker-skinned people have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. • Mental health: Decreased sun exposure has also been associated with a drop in your serotonin levels, which can lead to significant depression. Sunlight cues special areas in the retina of your eyes that trigger serotonin release. Summer Fun Facts

• Cancer prevention: Although excess sunlight can contribute to skin cancers, a moderate amount of the sun has preventive benefits for the following cancers: • Colon cancer • Hodgkin’s lymphoma • Ovarian cancer • Pancreatic cancer • Prostate cancer • Skin health: Adequate sun exposure may help treat several skin conditions, including: • Psoriasis • Eczema • Jaundice • Acne Other health conditions: Research studies have revealed preliminary links between sunlight as a potential treatment for several different disorders like: • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) • Systemic lupus erythematosus • Inflammatory bowel disease • Thyroiditis There is no way to recommend an exact amount of exposure due to your skin type and how direct the sun’s rays are. However, generally speaking, the time of day most likely to cause problems is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. One of the most important benefits of summertime is that longer days mean more time to spend with your loved ones or get outside to exercise. Summertime is great to get outside and take in the summer sun!

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/• https://www.healthline. com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight#sun-safety

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