[This post gives examples of how many functions in our bodies are affected by a lack of sunlight. YT video linked at the end]
Vitamin D is a hormone created in response to direct sunlight exposure, and along with enabling us to absorb nutrients, run the immune system, and improve bone health, vitamin D supports most of the functions in our bodies. When we get direct sunlight exposure a naturally present chemical in our skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol, turns the “UV radiation” into vitamin D. Depending on the time of year and day and the color of our skin, vitamin D can be created quickly or take longer to enter your body.
What does a lack of Vitamin D effect?
Circadian rhythm: Without enough vitamin D you won’t be able to sleep. Vitamin D is used to help insomnia and cortisol spikes (the stress hormone) that keep you up.
Serotonin production: Being outside and allowing sunlight to directly enter our eyes without being blocked by UV resistant glasses, increases the production of serotonin, enabling us to focus clearly and regulate mood. Low amounts of vitamin D make us depressed and tired way more easily. And in the wintertime, it causes SAD (Seasonally Affected Disorder) for a lot of people.
Hair production: Without adequate vitamin D hair becomes brittle and thins easily. Scalp conditions like eczema and dandruff are typically caused by a lack of vitamin D.
Skin conditions: Psoriasis, eczema, and acne have all been linked to inadequate vitamin D production.
Eyesight: Vitamin D slows down the formation of cataracts in our eyes.
Asthma: Just by playing out in the sunshine asthma is lessened in children because Vitamin D helps to open your bronchi and relieve lung conditions.
Muscle cramps: Vitamin D works with the magnesium in your body to lessen muscle aches and cramps, even reducing inflammation. Adequate vitamin D can even keep inflammation in your blood arteries low, reducing high blood pressure.
Nervous System function: The development and maturity of neurons in our brains relies on sunshine. Multiple sclerosis, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease have all been linked to deficiencies in natural vitamin D.
Bone strength and development: Deficiency of vitamin D in children causes softer bones that are more likely to be malformed, and bone pain in adults. (Vitamin D is required for our bodies to absorb enough calcium to grow bone.)
Every part of the immune system needs vitamin D. It helps autoimmune diseases and viral infections by strengthening white blood cells and normalizing immune tolerance.
Think of how different our health would be if we daily got enough sunshine rather than choosing to take supplements! Not only does direct sunshine allow us to produce the amount of vitamin D we need, but most synthetic Vitamin D supplements are so prosseed that our bodies can’t absorb it, or the dose is too big for us to absorb at once.
Unless you already know how to tell when your body needs sunlight (kinda like knowing when you're thirsty) developing a pattern for going outside regularly may seem annoying. But when we’re sick, injured, or really really feeling down, we need to go out and absorb the light. The palms of our hands and the bottoms of our feet are the most absorbent skin on our bodies, so while we’re outside (preferably in the mornings when there’s clean, direct sunlight) we should expose our hands and feet! The sunshine was made for us to heal and grow in.
https://youtu.be/zCmW5bLcE9s?si=wh0GEOvuPderrTYJ How Vitamin D Affects Every Organ and Tissue -Dr. Eric Berg
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