Sunshine for Health and Immunity

 The culture of sun-phobia that has developed in WEIRD (Western Educated Industrial Rich Developed) countries in last few decades is a case study of the failure of reductionist science. Sun avoidance has a huge negative impact on health and immunity. The conventional wisdom on how to protect ourselves from “sun-damage” has only compounded the problem.

 

In their book “The Hunter-Gatherers Guide to the 21st Century” Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein make a compelling case that “hyper-novelty” is the predominate experience of life in the WEIRD world. (There are many things that support this. The levels of industrial pollutants we have to contend with is a case in point. claire-58.dreamwidth.org/6654.html) One of the most ubiquitous and unregarded instances of hyper-novelty is our habit of spending the vast majority of our time indoors.

 

Near Infra-Red Radiation

 

The upward ticks in the chronic health conditions that are so widespread in the modern world closely follow the shifts to indoor work and especially the changes in artificial lighting. Tracking the early changes is difficult. The early industrial period is fraught with public health issues as people where forced off the land and into urban slums with absolutely appalling living conditions. (See Dissolving illusions : disease, vaccines and the forgotten history / Suzanne Humphries, MD and Roman Bystrianyk.) The development of artificial light that made shift work possible, introduces another variable. A quick internet search shows that the negative impacts of shift work on health are widely recognized.

 

However the correlation between indoor work/artificial light  and chronic health problems remains strong. Upticks in chronic disease mark the shift form incandescent lights to “cool” florescent light and the subsequent shift  to LED’s. The widespread conversion to florescent lights (despite the toxic mercury that makes the end of life disposal problematic) and eventually LED’s was spurred by the drive for “greener” lighting. Energy and cost are still the main drivers of the shift to LEDs.(https://www.lightingtutor.com/pros-and-cons-of-led-lights/)  

 

Incandescent light bulbs are less energy efficient because they produce heat and light. The “waste” heat is Near Infrared Radiation (NIR). NIR is outside the visible spectrum but it has a myriad of health benefits. For more on this see Heather Heying’s Natural Selections “It’s Dark Inside Your Head” (https://substack.com/@naturalselections/p-115513014)   Sunshine; firelight, and incandescent light bulbs are all sources of NIR. Unlike the UV light that stimulates vitamin D production on our skin, NIR can penetrate clothing and body tissue. The fabulous feeling of soaking up the winter sunshine familiar to Northerners is NIR not Vitamin D. 

 

Ultra-Violet Light

 

The driving factor of our current sun-phobia is ultraviolet light. UV light, also invisible to our eyes, is at other end of the visible spectrum. The two forms that are of interest are UVA and UVB. The third type, UVC, is blocked by the ozone layer*. Both forms stimulate tanning; the activation of melanin in the skin to produce your own sunscreen. 

 

Internet sites that dispense medical wisdom for laypeople grudgingly admit that UVB stimulates Vitamin D production on the skin and that this has some health benefits while endlessly repeating the conventional wisdom about the necessity of chemical sunscreens when strict sun avoidance is impossible. These same medical experts vigorously debunk the idea that sunscreen can block vitamin D producing UV rays. Meanwhile the lists of vitamin D deficiency symptoms itemized in other popular health sites read like a litany common chronic health issues from low mood and lack of energy, to binge eating and sleeplessness, to brain fog and persistent weight gain.

 

Unfortunately the almost ubiquitous use of chemical sunscreens in the last several decades has had no beneficial impact whatsoever. Skin cancer rates have risen steadily since the 1970’s. Search “increase in skin cancer over the years” and go to “images” and you will find a variety of graphs that show the rise.  You may also come across a graph that shows the death rate from skin cancer compared to the diagnosis of skin cancer. The death rate, alway low, has been dropping slightly. The diagnostic rate has risen precipitously. 

 

The jump from UV exposure to skin cancer that concludes with “must use sunscreen” is another failure of reductionist science. The rise in skin cancer correlates with the increase in time spent in indoors under artificial light and to the shift to nutritionally poor highly processed chemically laden foods and to many of the other changes in how we live that have happened since the early 1970’s. Not only has none of this been investigated, there is a complete lack of concern, or even curiosity, about the effects of repeatedly dousing ourselves in a variety of novel chemical cocktails to protect ourselves from the evilly, evil sun.

 

My personal approach has been to adopt a style of dress that mimics the traditional dress of people who live in hot countries: good coverage with loose cool clothing and a broad brimmed hat. I avoid being out in the heat of the day if I can but I also try to get some actual UV exposure when the sun is not at it's apex. Sun exposure early in the season stimulates melanin production. Later in the season when the sun isn't so intense I try to build up my stores of vitamin D. I live in a cold temperate climate. I know my approach might not work for those who live in more sun-drenched places.

 

Natural Sun Products and Skin Care

 

It’s best to keep some kind of after sun remedy on hand. The absolutely worst thing to do if you have sunburn is reach for a commercial moisturizer. Applying a potentially toxic chemical brew to sun damaged skin cells is like a one-two punch that may have disastrous consequences.

 

Aloe vera gel is a well known remedy for burns that works great as an after-sun moisturizer. There are many other botanical body care products that have sun-protective properties as well. You won’t necessarily find them labelled as such. I don’t know about other parts of the world but in Canada there are a few officially recognized chemicals that are given an SPF rating. The restrictive regulations governing the sale of “medicinal” products a huge disincentive to making health claims for skin creams and lip balms. (Note: “natural” body care products may contain some of the same sketchy chemicals as their mainstream counterparts.)

 

Antioxidant rich botanicals like calendula, rose hips, sea buckthorn, and pomegranate are easily identified by their deep, rich, vibrant colour. They can be made into simple oil infusions or combined with aloe vera and a few drops of lavender essential oil to make a DIY combo for both before and after sun exposure. A little added Vitamin E will keep your blend shelf stable and add a bit of extra antioxidant protection.

 

Enjoy the Sun

 

There is every reason to reject the idea that the sun is dangerous. If you have fair skin and live in a hot country you will need to be more careful.  White skin is an adaption that increases Vitamin D production at low UV levels and it can’t take the intensity of the tropical sun. If you have dark skin and live in the temperate zone the challenge may be getting enough sun. Dark skin is an adaptation to intense sunlight. The low light levels in the temperate zone can cause serious problems with Vitamin D deficiency. No matter what your situation getting outside is good for your health and there are simple strategies and practices that will net the most benefits and minimize the risks. Enjoy!

 

*If you live in the southern hemisphere the thinning of the ozone layer may be a real concern. We have never previously been exposed to UVC and have not evolved any natural defences against it.