The TanWall Blog

There is quite a buzz going on in the scientific and medical communities concerning the benefits of Vitamin D. Researchers are finding that Vitamin D can help prevent many diseases and ailments and that there is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency going on right now in the US, possibly leading to increased risk of disease and illness.

More and more studies done by scientific, nutritional, and medical organizations across the globe are indicating the high importance of Vitamin D. These organizations cite positive facts and negative facts to support their findings.

Positive Facts

Various studies have shown that the presence of sufficient levels of Vitamin D can lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, bone deficiencies, and certain cancers.

Vitamin D serves as an activator of autoimmune T-cells that neutralize foreign antibodies in the bloodstream. Basically, having sufficient Vitamin D levels will boost your immune system and make you more resilient to the flu and colds.

Vitamin D can also help with weight loss and mood regulation, among other things.

Negative Facts

Studies have found that there is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency in the US, accounting for a higher frequency of certain cancers, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases in the general population.

Immune systems are believed to be affected by this deficiency as well, so that more people are more prone to colds.

Possible causes of the nation’s Vitamin D deficiency could be due to more time spent indoors, since a large portion of our Vitamin D comes from sunshine. Also, sun-scare sentiment which leads to practives such as wearing long sleeves, putting on sunscreen, and altogether staying out of the sun can be seen to be responsible for our lack of Vitamin D.

I have the facts, so how do I get my Vitamin D?

The best way to get Vitamin D is through sunshine. Specialists recommend getting 10-15 minutes a day of unblocked sunshine. This is more than enough to exceed the new proposed 1000 IUs a day of Vitamin D. You can also get Vitamin D from a tanning bed.

Vitamin D can be found in certain foods such as fish and milk.

During periods of time when we can’t get enough sunshine, or during the wintertime, it might also be prudent to take Vitamin D supplements

So now you know the facts. Vitamin D is quickly becoming an important factor in daily nutrition. Don’t let the medical/dermatological interests scare you into staying out of the sun. Get some sun every day but be sure not to overdo it. Your body will thank you with good health.

It seems to me like it’s been a mild summer so far. Lots of cloud layers, cool breezes, mild sun rays, at least in California anyway.

But just this week, maybe a little earlier, I felt the heat go up noticeably. I can feel those rays getting stronger now. I don’t know about you but it seems like it’s really starting to feel like summer.

Supposedly the East Coast has been seeing some pretty high temperatures since last week themselves.

Anyways, now is a great time to get your tanning on. Get those bronze tones and you’ll know you’re protected from those UV rays. You can feel it. You get really tan and when the sun hits you it burns less and less. It feels great in my opinion.

I always just got really tan as opposed to putting on sun screen. I never cared for sunscreen: the feel, the smell, putting it on every hour or so, it just made going to the beach kind of a chore.  And now studies are starting to emerge that sun screen is not as good for you as they thought.

I rarely get burned, even after being outside for an hour or two because my skin becomes resistant to the UV rays. What’s better than laying out in the sun with a couple of drinks and a book?

I’m not saying you should abandon sun screen and just run around and get burned up. They say to be sensible and moderate with activities in the sun and I think that’s the best advice for this summer.

Hit the tanning salon and get a base tan, then get out in the sun and soak up some of those rays.

They’ve been making a big deal about Vitamin D lately. How we need to get out in the sun more and stop being so afraid of it. How the sun provides what vitamins and foods can’t. 

Intuitively I think they’re right. I feel great during the Spring and Summer when I get a lot of sun. Fall and Winter come around, and though I love the characteristics of all the seasons in their own way, I do find myself getting lethargic and tired during those seasons when I’m out of the sun more.  

Enjoy the sun everyone. But be sensible! Don’t overdo it.