News Flash: Sunlight is Good For You

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Sunlight: Optimize Health and Immunity (Light Therapy and Melatonin)


The discussion begins with Dr. Seheult stressing the importance of sunlight at a cellular level. He then provides an overview on how the body generates melatonin via the pineal gland and energy via the mitochondria – and also how IR plays a key role in those processes. He also discusses the by-product of oxidative stress which left unchecked, can lead to a variety of health issues.

He then provides an overview of the solar spectrum and the importance of IR to the body on many levels. He goes on to delve into the circadian rhythm (our internal master clock) and discusses how we “align it with reality”. This helps to maintain and regulate melatonin and cortisol production, and potentially avoid problems with sleep, weight, cancer, and diabetes that may occur with circadian dysregulation.

Dr. Seheult then discusses the importance of sunlight exposure as it relates to mood, depression, and seasonal affective disorder. He refers to this study on the efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders, and this study that supports the efficacy of midday bright light therapy for bipolar depression. He then mentions this article which covers the positive effects of artificial dawn and morning blue light on daytime cognitive performance, well-being, cortisol, and melatonin levels.

Dr. Seheult then gives some “dos and don’ts” for light exposure. Sun exposure and melanoma risk, and melatonin production in the body during the night AND day is also discussed. He then touches on some of the health benefits of spending time outdoors and living in green spaces such as a reduction in salivary cortisol (a stress marker). Sunlight therapies are also being used to treat various medical conditions including COVID-19, as discussed in this study.

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