Sun, vitamin D and health. A very healthy combination indeed! We present youthe latestscientific dataabouttheamazingimportance the sun -our Sun- has. Its all aboutour healthandtheprevention of manydiseases of the nervoussystem.Yes,you readcorrectly!We will focus onaveryimportantprocess in the human body. An for all wholiveinGreece,andespeciallyin Crete, this process may occur almost year-round.Andthis very important process, is the production inour ownskinof the vitamin–hormone with the amazing properties, vitaminD. Of course vitamin D,can beabsorbed by diet and supplements.This is a must for allthosenot benefiting fromsunbathing.
No doubt,modern lifestylemakesskinexposureto the sun rather difficult. Whats more, we very often noticea phobia towards the sun,thatis promotedin a systematic way bydoctors and the associated cosmeticscompanies(e.g.sunscreen pharma).Andthisphobia–urban legend,may havesomebasisin terms of photosensitivity reactions oroverexposure.However,rational skin exposure to the sun –based onpersonalized instructionsthe doctor givestothe patient, of specific skin areas–canonly be of benefit.The advantages of this approach,relate bothtohuman healthas a whole andin particular to the development, prevention, prognosis and treatmentof majorneurological diseases.
On each ofthesediseases, wewill comment,in more detail,infuture posts.Today, we will offer some hints, aboutthe vast array ofdiseases,forwhichthere is strongscientific evidence, thatadequate levelsofvitamin D protect usfrom disease onset. These includethecommon cold and flu,colon cancer,breast cancer,osteoporosis andosteomalacia. Also neurologicaldiseases likedementia,Parkinson’s,autismspectrum disordersandmultiple sclerosis.
Of course,in any case,theinstructions,concerningthedesired levels of the vitamin, differandare personalized. Nevertheless,it seems,according tothe mostrecent studies,thattheyhave beenreviewedand that we needtoseekhigher levelsforbetter health.However, there isalwaysthe dangerof overdoing, since there isscientific data,indicatingthatexcessive levelsof vitaminD, in the elderly, may be associatedwithlowerlife expectancy.