The human body needs direct sunshine and lots of it for optimal health. Our ancestors lived outdoors without clothes for 80-90% of human history. For the last 10-20% of our history we wore clothes, but we still worked outdoors. Not until the industrial revolution did we begin to work mostly indoors.
Dr. Campise's Recommendation for sunbathing:
1. Sunbathe 3-4 days per week for between 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your skin type.
2. The best time is at solar noon, which in Fresno, CA right now is about 1 pm. But anytime between noon and 2 pm will work fine.
3. Wear as little clothes as possible, but cover your face with a hat. Don't wear sunscreen while sunbathing. Lie flat to get the most amount of rays.
4. The goal is to turn slightly pink, but don't burn.
5. Refrain from a shower for at least an hour afterward to allow the vitamin D to soak through the skin into the blood. Only use soap on private areas so you don't wash off the natural skin oils containing the vitamin D you just made from your sunbath.
That's it!
Most people notice immediate positive changes in mood, energy, sleep, and pain levels.
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Benefits of sunbathing:
1. Ultraviolet (UVB) rays make Vitamin D in the oils on your skin (helps prevent cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, colds/flus, and pain).
2. Sunshine is like natural Prosac, raising serotonin levels, elevating mood and feelings of wellbeing.
3. Resets day/night cycle so you sleep deeper and repair your body at night by raising nighttime melatonin levels.
4. Infrared rays penetrate deep into your body, relieving pain and lowering inflammation.
5. Naturally lowers cholesterol levels.
6. Increases motivation for exercise and physical activity.
Other things to watch out for:
If your skin begins to get dry or wrinkled right away from the extra sun exposure, this is a sign that you are low in certain nurtrients. Vitamin A is destroyed in the skin by ultraviolet light, so you may need to take extra vitamin A either in a supplement or from eating more red and orange vegetables. I recommend between 5,000 and 20,000 iu daily of Vitamin A. It can also be a sign of a need for more good fats including omega 3 oils like fish oil. If you aren't already taking omega 3 oils, you need to be. I recommend 1200 to 2400 mg daily of total omega 3. Lastly, dry skin from sunbathing can be a sign of low vitamin C intake. 3,000-6,000 mg of vitamin C daily can help prevent skin aging from the sun.
Beware that getting sun exposure during the morning or late afternoon will not have the same benefits because there is no UVB during these times. Also, recent evidence suggests that sunscreen itself is toxic and creates more damage to your skin than moderate sun exposure does. The best sun protection is a tan!
So try it out and let me know your results!
Looking forward!
Yours in health,
Dr. Campise :)
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