Let the Sun Shine In

These days we're told to stay completely out of the sun, but some sun exposure is actually good for you. It helps your body produce Vitamin D, which is essential for your health. No, you don't want to get sunburned, but a few minutes a day of sunshine on your skin is a very good thing. Read what Dr. Joseph McWherter has to say in his book, Avoiding Breast Cancer (which also deals with general health):

Vitamin D is of particular importance in maintaining breast health, promoting bone integrity, and balancing the immune system. Sunlight activates a special type of cholesterol molecule located in the skin to form vitamin D, which acts more like a hormone than a vitamin. I recommend not only daily vitamin D supplementation, but also exposure to midday sunlight for five to ten minutes, three times weekly. The vitamin D that is ingested or created by your body is then transformed into the biologically active form in the liver and kidneys. Activated vitamin D works at the DNA level of the breast cell to initiate programmed cell death, thus preventing uncontrolled cell division (cancer).

In his wonderful book, Dr. McWherter recommends 800 to 1,000 IU daily of vitamin D3, but says the blood levels need to be checked on a regular basis to be sure that you're getting enough.

Sunshine will also be beneficial to your mood and your sleep. So, let the sun shine in...for a little while.