Getting the Right Amount of Sunshine

By Milton G. Crane, M.D. and Barbara G. Crane, R.D. of Weimar Institute

A. General Principles

1. We benefit three ways from the sun:
   a. the long infrared waves warm us
   b. we are enabled to see by the visible light rays
   c. the shorter wavelength ultraviolet waves help in other ways.
   
2. The atmosphere surrounding the earth blocks the sun rays to a variable extent. When the sun is up 20 degrees above the horizon, the ultraviolet rays are only 80% of the maximum intensity at noon.
   
3. There are recent concerns that the amount of ultraviolet irradiation may increase because of loss of the protective ozone layer in outer space. Therefore, beware of overexposure, yet get what you need.
   
4. Clouds decrease penetration of the full range of light.
   
5. Water, snow, and other reflectors increase the amount of exposure by reflecting the rays back to you.

B. Benefits to Us from Ultraviolet Rays. They…

1. Cause tanning of the skin.
   
2. Destroy viruses, bacteria, and even ringworm.
   
3. Convert cholesterol in the tissues to vitamin D. Two hours of sunlight can lower serum cholesterol about 13%.
   
4. Stimulate white blood cell formation and even irradiate viruses and bacteria in the blood.
   
5. Lower blood pressure. Nudists have half the incidence of high blood pressure.
   
6. The double bonds of polyunsaturated fats (oils) combine with oxygen when they are exposed to ultraviolet irradiation and produce "free radicals" in the tissues or in the bottle as free fats. Thus the oils turn "rancid." Free radicals are toxic to cells and arteries.
   
7. Animals on a high-fat diet plus irradiation develop skin cancer.
   
8. Exposing babies to ultraviolet (sunlight), who are born with high bilirubin levels, corrects the high bilirubin in the blood.
   
9. Sunlight can increase the loss of uric acid from the body.
   
10. Sunlight was found protective against several toxins in rats.

C. How to Get the Benefits of the Sun Safely

1. Hang bedding and sleeping clothing in the sun for its sterilizing effects.
   
2. Increase your personal exposure to the sun gradually.
   
3. Limit the total amount of sunlight per week – be aware of the gradual loss of the protective ozone layer surrounding our planet.
   
4. A swimsuit or briefs can be used in secluded sunbathing areas.
   
5. Avoid a high-fat diet. Excessive exposure to the sun while on the typical high-fat "civilized" diet increases the risk of skin cancers and melanoma, and it tends to increase the rate of aging of the skin.
   
6. A suggested beginning amount of exposure for a light-complexioned person would be 20 minutes for the front and 20 minutes for the back – 20 minutes on each side.
   
7. The eyes may need protection in bright sunlight conditions such as during prolonged sunbathing, in the snow, or during boating or near the water.
   
8. Some persons are supersensitive, "allergic," to sunlight. They tend to develop blisters and sores from minimal exposure to the sun. Their problem is permanent; they should avoid exposure. A preparation such as "Sunscreen" is helpful to such people.
   
9. Dark-complexioned races need proportionately greater exposure to the sun to obtain adequate benefits such as for vitamin D formation.
   
10. Sunscreen ointments are available to help protect exposed skin from an overdose of ultraviolet. There are two ranges of ultraviolet light which need to be blocked, UVA (400 to 320 nm) and UVB (320 to 290 nm). The para-aminobenzoic acid creams and, to a certain extent, the other creams do not protect against UVA. If protection against both UVA and UVB is needed, it would be best to use those creams like zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or iron oxide, which block both UVA and UVB.

Copyright © 1995-2002 Milton G. Crane, M.D. and Barbara G. Crane, R.D., Weimar Institute, Weimar, CA 95736. All rights Reserved.