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Sunlight is now much more beneficial than harmful


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2019 Jan 12, 11:18am   1,144 views  5 comments

by Patrick   ➕follow (55)   💰tip   ignore  

https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science

Weller’s doubts began around 2010, when he was researching nitric oxide, a molecule produced in the body that dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. He discovered a previously unknown biological pathway by which the skin uses sunlight to make nitric oxide.

It was already well established that rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and overall mortality all rise the farther you get from the sunny equator, and they all rise in the darker months. Weller put two and two together and had what he calls his “eureka moment”: Could exposing skin to sunlight lower blood pressure?

Sure enough, when he exposed volunteers to the equivalent of 30 minutes of summer sunlight without sunscreen, their nitric oxide levels went up and their blood pressure went down. Because of its connection to heart disease and strokes, blood pressure is the leading cause of premature death and disease in the world, and the reduction was of a magnitude large enough to prevent millions of deaths on a global level.

Wouldn’t all those rays also raise rates of skin cancer? Yes, but skin cancer kills surprisingly few people: less than 3 per 100,000 in the U.S. each year. For every person who dies of skin cancer, more than 100 die from cardiovascular diseases. ...

So Lindqvist decided to look at overall mortality rates, and the results were shocking. Over the 20 years of the study, sun avoiders were twice as likely to die as sun worshippers.

There are not many daily lifestyle choices that double your risk of dying. In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, Lindqvist’s team put it in perspective: “Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor of a similar magnitude as smoking, in terms of life expectancy.”


Lol, I've avoided the sun most of my life. Maybe that was a mistake.

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1   Ceffer   2019 Jan 12, 11:30am  

The therapeutic effects of sunlight have been known for a long time, from when European spas would cure certain invalids by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight on a daily basis up to about 20-30 minutes. Although some effects are tied to vit. D metabolism, there seem to be other effects less well understood aka body's response to hormone induction, immune effects and light cycles.

The negatory opinions of sunlight come from the observation that it is radiation, and some radiation effects can be deleterious and irreversible. Cosmetic obsessions also lead dermatologists to recommend that ALL exposure be avoided, like we were evolved to be mole people. Narcissistic women want to preserve their young looking skin as long as possible.

I like to get some sunlight every year but don't overdo it. It doesn't take much to get the benefit, but you do have to expose yourself to it. I hate sunburn, so I get just enough that I don't burn radically if I am stuck in the sun for some reason.
2   Onvacation   2019 Jan 12, 6:02pm  

This article inspired me to go sailing today in spite of my dermatologist's warning to stay out of th sun.


No regrets.
3   Onvacation   2019 Jan 12, 6:03pm  

I wasn't healing that far over.
4   rocketjoe79   2019 Jan 13, 10:01am  

(To be read in PIRATE VOICE)

Ahoy, Matey! T'was a hard nor'easter out of the so'west! There we were, heeled over about eight-noine degrees. Yar, I took a stroll down the hull and inspected the keel fer barnacles.

To learn how to talk like a pirate:
www.youtube.com/embed/fqMu6e5Dgtg

It's done like a 1950's corporate training video. Hilarious.

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