Summer is just around the corner in Montreal. It is time to get out in the sun and enjoy the short time that we have.
Montrealers have so little sunshine, half the year we do not get enough sunshine in our northern climate, Yet, we still need sun to remain healthy and avoid various diseases. Shutting one's self up in the house all year long is not healthy nor wise.
Why do we need the sun to remain healthy?
Vitamin D
The main source of vitamin D is generated from the sun. We can get Vitamin D from some foods, but not in the levels needed to maintain good health. We need the sun's ultraviolet rays to replenish our bodies with this remarkable vitamin.
Vitamin D is responsible for maintaining and strengthening strong bones. Children who suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency are at risk for rickets, a disease that causes bowed legs and horrendous deformities due to the fact that bones are brittle and cannot support the weight of the body. The bones will then sag or bow.
Adults are not exempt from bones problems either, when they are lacking sufficient amounts of vitamin D within the body. Older women especially, can be at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a degenerate disease that affects bone density and causes the bones to become brittle; hence, placing older women at risk for hip injuries and more.
A healthy dose of sunshine can also:
Reduce the risk of certain cancers
Reduce cardiovascular disease
Reduce the risk for multiple sclerosis
Decrease the pain associated with MS
Improve insulin sensitivity
Reduce the risk for pneumonia
Strengthen uterine muscles resulting in fewer caesarian sections
Ultraviolet rays used as a therapy
UV rays are used as a therapy for patients suffering from psoriasis, a skin condition in which the body's mechanism for shedding skin cells is accelerated. The end result is that the sufferer will experience itchy skin, Psoriasis sufferers will have scaly patches of skin all over the body. UV therapy decreases the growth of skin cells and reduces the itchiness.
Montrealers as well as all Canadians are Vitamin D deficient. According to a survey published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research less than 10 percent of Canadians get enough Vitamin D.
Do enjoy the sunshine while you can and don't forget the sunscreen.
Sources:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100407/vitamin_100407/20100407?hub=Health
http://www.biospherical.com/nsf/student/page4.html
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Comments: 18
I have lived and worked outside most of my life and do not, and have not, had problems with my skin. But common sense applies... when you live out like I do, you know better than spend a lot of time in direct sun rays... I schedule my activities out from under the shade to the morning and late evening hours, Whenever possible I work under shade. I haven’t had a sunburn since I was a kid. No suncreens, no staying in the house.. just common sense. Living in Texas we have an over abundance of sun and heat, but thoughtful and well timed behavior has keep me cancer free and many people say my skin looks 30 years younger than I do. Only an idiot would spend very much time in the direct sun when the rays are at their strongest. But there is nothing uglier than pale, pasty looking skin.
Sunlight is also a good disinfectant.. to stay healthy dry your clothes in bright sunlight. It not only kills germs, but makes them smell wonderful and makes towels so efficient you can dry off with a wash cloth.
"Mad Dogs and Englishmen in the noonday sun...." Americans especially.