We LOVE sunshine and we’re sure we aren’t the only ones! It’s hard to beat spending a day outdoors soaking in the sun’s rays and it’s getting to be that time of year where all we want to do is frolic outside. Although we do have to be careful about our exposure to UV rays, spending time in the sun has one huge benefit that people often forget…VITAMIN D! This little vitamin does the body big favors by boosting our immune systems and preventing more serious diseases.
Research suggests that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D may play a role in controlling normal breast cell growth and may be able to stop breast cancer cells from growing. Women who have breast cancer tend to have low levels of vitamin D in their body and women with higher vitamin D levels are less likely to develop breast cancer. In addition, women with higher vitamin D levels who already have breast cancer tend to have smaller tumors and are less likely to die from breast cancer.
Most vitamin D is made when an inactive form of the nutrient is activated in your skin when it’s exposed to sunlight. As more and more people spend most of their time out of direct sunlight or wearing sunscreen when they are in the sun, vitamin D production from sun exposure is limited. Even short periods of direct peak sun exposure —15 minutes 3 times a week, for example—can give you more than the recommended daily amount of vitamin D. To get our guide on which sunscreen’s to use while spending all that time in the sun, check out our blog post all about choosing nontoxic sunscreen.
Basically, sunshine is amazing for our bodies and overall health. Not only does a lil’ sunshine lovin’ help lower your overall risk for breast cancer, but it helps our bodies in tons of other ways. Check out the infographic below to find out just why Vitamin D is so important:
Sources:
BreastCancer.Org
Carrington College
Vitamin D Council
