Pure-n-Simple Soap

I have often heard the phrase many times in my life, “there is a wrong way to do a right thing”.  I am reminded of this saying when I think about sun exposure to the skin.  Today the sun has been demonized as the biggest contributor to skin cancer, and commercials have us all in panic not to leave the house until we have slopped on layers of sun block.

I am just not comfortable with this.  I have often wondered what is in most sun blocks, and what else could it be doing to my body other than preventing a sun burn, which not always works.  Much of this curiosity hit me after I had realized how permeable our skin is.  I do understand that too much sun is not good, we do not want the skin to become burned, and if you are planning to be in the sun for long periods of time, it is very wise to use sun protection, but this slop on layers on sun block nonsense every time you leave the house concerns me.  The sun is the absolute best way our bodies receive the amount of vitamin D it needs to maintain optimal health.  Sun block does more than supposedly prevent sun burn; it also prevents your skin from producing the very important vitamin D, which to me seems like a waste of sun exposure.

There are many great natural skin care products available that contribute many health benefits for the skin and body; however the cheapest and most natural skin care treatment one can receive is from the sun.  The right amount of sun exposure is very critical for not just healthier skin, but a healthier immune system as well.

This is an area that just in the past few years many scientists have been exploring more and more rapidly and are amazed how vitamin D affects the body.  Some experts suggest that over 50% of children and adults are deficient in vitamin D, which if one is deficient in vitamin D their immune system will not do its job properly.

Vitamin D has just recently been connected with fighting immune system disorders such as Crohn’s disease by helping the body produce over 200 antimicrobial peptides that fight off such infections.  Vitamin D also helps prevent and treat many cancers such as lymphoma, lung, prostate, colon and skin cancer.  Scientist and Doctors are beginning to discover more and more benefits of vitamin D, and are encouraging more so today than ever before for, not just those who are deficient, but everyone to get vitamin D levels checked between 3-4 times a year.

If you live in an area where you simply cannot receive the right amount of vitamin D from the sun and are deficient you can take vitamin D supplements, but want to be careful you are receiving the right amount.  Unlike receiving vitamin D naturally from the sun the body self regulates the amount it needs through the skin, your body does not do this when taking vitamin D orally.  Too much vitamin D can be harmful and this is why it is important to have your blood tested. The optimal level of vitamin D should be between 55-65 ng/ml.  There are two different test available, 1, 25 (OH) D, and 25(OH) D.  The 25 (OH) D which is also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D is most recommended by doctors as the better marker for vitamin D status.

Most important things to consider when wanting to obtain vitamin D naturally from the sun, is common sense, “don’t overdo it”!  For the first few times being exposed to the sun limit yourself to about fifteen minutes before protecting your skin from the sun’s rays.  You want to gradually build a tolerance.  Before you know it, by midsummer you can spend nearly an entire day outside without getting sunburn, and of course if you are going to be exposed to extreme sun conditions for great lengths of time like on a boat, than yes, protect your skin, whether it be wearing sunglasses, a hat and clothes, or using a natural sun screen, that is free from harmful chemicals.