Just 20 minutes in midday sun can do much more than just warm your skin. Midday sun can also start some significant biological processes that can really boost your immune system. When ultraviolet B (UVB) rays stimulate the skin, they trigger the body’s natural production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for the human body. Not only is it important for bone health, it is also the switch for genes that release antimicrobial peptides in your body, the body’s own defense molecules against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) light is doing something even better, in a different way: it is releasing nitric oxide from stores in your skin. Nitric oxide is a compound that improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and has a direct antimicrobial action. These two processes together, those driven by sunlight, act like a built-in pharmacy for your body and provide the elements to enable the body to combat harmful pathogens.
To back this up, the benefit that’s derived from natural exposure is supported by scientific studies. Studies show that if you have a high vitamin D level you can experience up to 42 percent fewer respiratory infections than if you are vitamin D deficient. Regular, safe sun exposure is therefore one of the most commonsense mechanisms for improving your immunity.
But it’s all about moderation. Just short, sensible sensible bursts of sun (as light as possible) on bare skin around noon, without a suntan or burning, will provide your body with the raw materials to build its germ-fighting molecules. Remember that in a time where immunity is of utmost importance, the midday sun reminds us that some of the best medicines don’t come from a bottle, but from nature.
