THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF THE SUN

Benefit #1

Tryptamines are natural chemicals which the body produces that alter and improve our moods. Sunlight helps to stimulate the pineal gland to produce such beneficial substances. Endorphins are also produced under the influence of the Sun, which are hormones that induce one’s wellbeing.

Benefit #2

The Sun can act as a treatment to certain skin conditions such as psoriasis. Such disease has to do with too much skin growing at the same spots resulting in areas of inflammation and red scaly patches to do with excessive skin production. The sun helps to slow the skin growth and aid in relieving the symptoms.

Benefit #3

In order for our bodies to naturally produce vitamin D, UV from the sun is essential. Vitamin D has been known to produce much goodness for our bodies as it can help to strengthen bones, muscles and one’s immune system. This vitamin is also known to fight certain cancers such as colon and breast.


Benefit #4

Forget hand sanitizers. The sun does wonders in the fields of disinfection and sterilization. The Sun helps to destroy microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria by penetrating the cell’s membrane and destroying the DNA thus helping to put a stop to reproduction.

Benefit #5

Good news! The sun increases the rate at which you sweat which then relaxes the kidneys. The sunlight helps to activate the thyroid which helps in losing weight as it acts as a catalyst on the metabolic rate.


Disadvantage #1

Skin Cancer; we should all know about this obvious killer. UV rays emitted from the Sun are an environmental human carcinogen. The sun exposure is indeed the most prominent reason for skin cancer patients.

Disadvantage #2

Overexposure to UV rays can cause harmful damages to the eye tissues, causing a burn to the eye’s surface. This is known as ‘snow blindness’ or photokeratitis. The effects of this will be eliminated after a number of days but may worsen if it is a long term event of exposure. Cataracts can also be caused and if left untreated, it may lead to blindness.

Disadvantage #3

The Sun causes accelerated aging of the skin as it destroys the collagen and connective tissue beneath the epidermis. Wrinkles, brown spots and loss of skin elasticity are a result of this. Remember, photo-aging of the skin is a cumulative process. It is never too late to slip, slop, slap on the sun screen and kick-start the sun-protection program.


Disadvantage #4

UV sunlight may cause a harmful suppressing effect on the immune system. When you are sun burnt, the distribution and function of the natural disease fighting white blood cells are altered.

Disadvantage #5

Sunburn. One’s worst enemy. The absorption of sun rays causes our skin cells to be damaged. The most horrible part to having sunburn is redness and fragility of what our skin becomes when the blood rushes up to these affected areas to repair it. Not forgetting the peeling part after the redness calms down.

(taken from :http://lifestyle.malaysia.msn.com/Beauty/News/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4126864&page=0)