Nearly 2500 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote about the healing properties of sunlight. Sunlight is still prescribed as treatment for many diseases, and some medical and health professionals believe that healing with light is actually the wave of the future for
skin care. It is also believed by many that sun exposure can actually prevent and cure cancer. So, before you reach for your ultra UV filter sunglasses and sun block, which probably contains a long list of carcinogens, let's look at what the sun has to offer.
When light enters the eyes, it goes to the hypothalamus. Known as the brain's brain, the hypothalamus controls the part of the nervous system that regulates the body's automatic and metabolic processes. The hypothalamus is dependant upon light-activated information to regulate these vital functions. Body temperature, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and water balance are all regulated by the hypothalamus. It is also part of the endocrine system and links the nervous system to the other endocrine glands – pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, ovaries and testes. The hormones released by these glands influence almost every cell, organ and function of the body. The hypothalamus also initiates the body's stress response, controls the immune functions, and houses the body clock. The body clock controls the pineal gland – the body's master organ – which also uses light information sent by way of the eyes to activate and synchronize the body's internal functions. The pineal also produces melatonin, the hormone that makes us tired when it gets dark, decreased levels of which are often found in those with insomnia. Serotonin, the brain hormone which elevates our mood in response to the morning light, fluctuates in direct correlation to exposure, or lack of, to bright sunlight.
All the above functions and activities are dependant upon sunlight. And a healthy body, which manifests in healthy skin, is dependant upon their optimum execution.
Getting burned by the sun, especially when one's Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids are out of balance, can cause skin cancer. But even cancer foundations say that sunlight is necessary to good health. And, as you can extrapolate from the list of bodily activities above, far more serious cancers and other diseases could result from the lack of it.
What do you do? Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. If you can't get out into the sunlight for an hour every day, invest in full spectrum bulbs for your home and office. These give you all the benefits of sunlight, and none of the drawbacks. Be aware that the inexpensive bulbs claiming to be full spectrum do not come close to matching natural sunlight. So, make sure you shop around and find the real thing. The health benefits are well worth it.
When you're outdoors, enjoy the sunlight. For an hour of the time you're out, allow the light to get in through the retina - don't use sunglasses. Indoors or out, good skin care also requires staying hydrated and protecting against pollutants. The best solution for this is a good
shielding lotion.
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Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for The National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit www.skincarenet.org.
