That poor demonized sun. It’s gotten such a bad rap over the years for all the damage it can do to your skin. While we’re not advocating burning your skin to a crisp, there is research that supports the fact that getting sun in moderation can do some good, even give you vitamins that you might otherwise be lacking. Here are 5 facts about Vitamin D and the sun that we think are too good to keep under wraps.
1. Research shows that the Vitamin D produced in your skin by the sun lasts two-three times longer in your body than it does if you take a supplement. Time to catch some rays, but like everything else we “should” be doing – do so in moderation.
2. If you live above Atlanta, GA, basically about 33 degrees North or 30 degrees South latitude on this planet, you basically cannot make any Vitamin D during the winter months. What better excuse for a beach vacay?
3. When you’re exposed to sunlight, you can make Vitamin D in your skin. You produce most between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., but don’t overdo it. These are also peak sun burning hours. Sunscreen is always a good idea.
(Palm Tree Beach, Paradisus Palma Real, Dominican Republic, photo by: instagram.com/kovtun.oleg.)
4. Since the time that humans showed up on the planet, it’s sunlight that’s provided us with our Vitamin D requirement. You’d have to eat a lot of Vitamin D fortified foods to become Vitamin D sufficient.
[bctt tweet=”When you’re exposed to sunlight, you can make Vitamin D in your skin. But don’t forget that sunscreen!”]
5. Your kids need the sun. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones will not form properly. Slather some sunscreen on them and send out ‘em outside.
Ready to hit the beach and get healthy? Thought so. However, Vitamin D deficiency isn’t the only thing that a little sun ‘n surf can help with. There are also some other ailments like Staycational Affective Disorder you might be suffering from. Go here to see if you are afflicted. However, if you need more reasons to get outta town, check out 7 Scientific Reasons to Take a Vacation.
But if you’re rarin’ to go right now, call 1-800-915-3162 and one of our sun-savvy, U.S.-based BhDs in Beachology will set you up with a sandsational all-inclusive vacation package to the Caribbean or Mexico. If you want to get the lay of the sand yourself, check out our site. Remember: when you’re taking in both Vitamin D and the sun, make sure you use plenty of sunscreen when you beach. There are probably enough lobsters on the beach already.
