Sunlight can PREVENT cancer! Who knew?!!

Last week, I talked about the fact that our bodies need vitamin D and that sunlight is the best way to get it. Now, I want to take that one step further and talk about the fact that sunlight exposure can actually help prevent some forms of cancer. That's right: PREVENT.

All we hear about today is how the sun is evil and causes skin cancer. The cosmetics industry tells us to slather on that sunscreen so no sunlight can get to our skin. The truth is that skin caner occurs from OVEREXPOSURE (i.e. burning of the skin), not from regular moderated exposure. When the skin burns, that is what causes cellular damage and that cellular damage may lead to skin cancer. Here's another truth: Conclusive studies have shown that sunlight has been proven to reduce the risk of the following types of cancers: colon, breast, prosate, and ovarian. These are some of the most common and deadly forms of cancer and one of the easiest ways to prevent it is to get some sun!

In 2006, a landmark paper was published by Dr. Cedric F. Garland and Dr. Frank C. Garland. This paper reviewed 63 seperate observational studies that examined the role of vitamin D in protecting against the aforementioned types of cancer. Here is a breakdown of the findings:

• Colon cancer: 20 of 30 studies (67%) conducted found a statistically significant benefit of vitamin D exposure against the risk of  colon cancer and cancer mortality.
• Breast cancer: 9 of 13 studies (70%) conducted reported a positive association with vitamin D exposure and reduced cancer risk.
• Prostate cancer: 13 out of 26 studies (50%) found a statistically significant association of sunlight exposure and reduced cancer risk.
• Ovarian cancer: 5 of 7 studies (71%) found higher mortality rates associated with areas of lower sunlight levels.

This study, along with the already known benefits of vitamin D make another compelling case in favor of sunlight exposure. Furthermore, after this study was published, both the American Cancer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society both admitted that people need to increase their exposure to sunlight. Now there's something you won't hear from the cosmetics industry!

As always, keep your exposure moderated. Talk with a professional tanning salon about the best way to get the right amount of exposure for your skin type and take advantage of one of the most natural ways to increase your health!