Many people avoid the sun in the name of skin cancer prevention. However, in doing so, they may be missing out on an array of health benefits, including improved mental health, enhanced immune function, and protection against chronic diseases, such as cancer.
How we reap the benefits, while minimizing the risks, begins with understanding how sunlight’s healing potency is delivered to the cells of our body. Having treated critically ill COVID-19 patients with sunlight, critical care, and internal medicine specialist Dr. Roger Seheult provides insights into this important principle.
How Sunlight Helps Prevent Disease
Seheult says that sun exposure can potentially lower cancer risk. He points to a study in Sweden, which followed 30,000 women for 20 years, and found that those who avoided sun exposure had twice the mortality rate of the women who had the highest sun exposure.https://vod.brightchat.com/embed/775b1936-2da6-4ca3-92c9-c1575a3c7ad0?r=16x9&d=1753
In a recent interview on EpochTV’s “Vital Signs with Brendon Fallon,” Seheult discussed the potential of sunlight to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.
Sunlight includes the infrared spectrum, which, though invisible to the human eye, can be sensed as heat. Among the infrared spectrum, near-infrared (NIR) light is particularly beneficial to health through its ability to improve cellular energy production.
Sunlight Stimulates Vitamin D Production
Sun exposure stimulates vitamin D production in the body, providing a distinct health advantage. Vitamin D is essential for several bodily functions, with studies suggesting that optimal levels may reduce the risk of influenza and
COVID-19 infections as well as related fatalities.
Dr. Jingduan Yang, a psychiatrist and integrative medicine practitioner, sees vitamin D deficiency as a factor in many chronic conditions presented by his patients. “In my patient population who come to me for chronic fatigue, for depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, 95 percent of them [or] even more have a vitamin D deficiency,” he said. Meanwhile, data collected between 2017 and 2018 places vitamin D insufficiency at 40.9 percent in the broader U.S. population.
Yang offers further insights into Vitamin D and sunlight’s benefits in “Sunlight Vs Depression, Fatigue, and Flu” on “Vital Signs with Brendon Fallon.”
The Role of NIR Light in Cellular Health
Inside each of our cells is an energy generator called the mitochondria. Mitochondria produce energy for the cells to perform their myriad tasks throughout the body. But this process also creates oxidative stress. Seheult likens mitochondria under oxidative stress to an overheated engine; if unchecked, it can lead to significant health problems. Research shows that oxidative stress contributes to various chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
How does sunlight help mitigate oxidative stress? Seheult explains that NIR light penetrates deeply into the skin, promoting increased melatonin production. This hormone cools down the mitochondria, helping to alleviate oxidative stress. While many people take melatonin supplements, Seheult emphasizes that its production within the mitochondria through NIR exposure is far more effective. He further notes that oral melatonin should only be taken at night as it signals the body that it is time to sleep.
Dr. Roger Seheul highlights the benefits of artificial near-infrared light in“<a href="https://ept.ms/VS_Melanoma" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sunlight Vs Depression, Fatigue, and Flu</a>.”
Artificial NIR: An Alternative to Natural Sunlight
Health-enhancing NIR light need not necessarily come from the Sun. Photobiomodulation is the use of artificially generated red or near-infrared light to promote healing, lower inflammation, and also reduce pain across a broad array of conditions, including dementia.A study published in 2021 showed “positive cognitive improvements” in patients with dementia who received transcranial near-infrared light stimulation. Outcomes included improved sleep, mood, energy, and lower anxiety.
Getting Safe and Beneficial Sun Exposure
While the prospect of disease-fighting sunlight certainly makes relaxing on the beach and working on your tan more enticing, it’s important to note that there are risks involved with excessive UV light exposure. Sunburn can potentially cause mutations of DNA that could lead to skin cancer. It is also linked to skin damage and aging.With that said, sunlight need not strike bare skin to deliver health benefits. Seheult notes that NIR light can penetrate tissues more deeply than UV light due to its longer wavelength. This means that smart clothing choices can help block harmful UV rays while still allowing beneficial NIR light to penetrate. He points to recommendations from the University of Utah to wear denser fabrics and lighter colors to limit UV light penetration. Cotton and polyester are materials that allow reasonable penetration of beneficial NIR light. Denim, however, can block almost 50 percent of NIR light.
Timing your sun exposure is also important for maximizing its benefits while minimizing risks. Sunrise and sunset are the ideal times for sun exposure to gather NIR rays, as UV radiation is generally at its lowest during these periods, according to Seheult. He suggests doing this for 20-30 minutes daily.
Also, for darker-skinned people in particular, Seheult recommends getting mid-day sunlight. They can benefit from the greater UV light exposure at that time, while the higher melanin concentration of their skin means they’re at lower risk of sunburn. For people in general, however, Seheult advises using sunscreen and wearing sun protective clothing at that time.
Sunscreen Selection and Skin Type Considerations
Beauty influencer Felicia Lee and “Vital Signs” host Brendon Fallon cover how to choose sunscreen and sunglasses in “<a href="https://ept.ms/VS_Melanoma" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sunlight Vs Depression, Fatigue, and Flu</a>.”
Choosing the right sunscreen is vital for skin protection. Sunscreens labeled as “broad spectrum” provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which are both harmful. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates how effectively sunscreen can prevent sunburn. SPF value indicates higher sun protection. SPF of at least 30 is recommended for most skin types for daily use.
Beauty influencer and host of EpochTV’s “Beauty Within,” Felica Lee, said it was important to factor the dryness versus oiliness of skin into sunscreen choice as certain ingredients can help regulate the skin’s natural oil (sebum) production. On “Vital Signs with Brendon Fallon,” she offers specific sunscreen recommendations based on skin type.
Tune into “Sunlight Vs Depression, Fatigue, and Flu“ for tips on how to choose effective sunscreen and sunglasses and on optimizing sun health benefits.
