#28 Sunlight Medicine: Exploring Sunlight Deficiency As a Hidden Health Risk

Do you have sunshine deficiency?   What is your daily dose of sunlight just right for your health goals?    Weighing the balance between the harm and the healthy of sunlight.

In this episode of the Wellness Table podcast, Dr. Cheryl Bothwell delves into the intriguing topic of sunshine and its profound effects on our health.   Have we underestimated the benefits of sunshine while focusing solely on its risks? 

Discover how sunlight goes beyond skin cancer and vitamin D as she unveils the latest research on 7 health benefits of sunshine when at the right daily dose.

Dr. Cheryl Bothwell brings all opinions to the table as she discusses the controversy around sunscreen use, particularly the concerns over benzene and the fine line between sunlight being both harmful and healing.   

Curious about how sunlight can lower blood pressure? Dr. Cheryl Bothwell explains the science behind nitric oxide production and its impact on hypertension. You'll also learn how morning sunlight can synchronize your body's internal clock, improve sleep quality, and even aid in weight loss by regulating hunger hormones and boosting metabolism and burning body fat and lowering body mass index. Plus, find out how sunlight can boost your mood and combat seasonal affective disorder and depression.

This episode is packed with surprising insights that might just change the way you think about your daily dose of sunshine.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Controversy of Sunshine
00:56 Meet Dr. Cheryl Bothwell: Your Guide to Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine
02:53 Sunscreen Controversy: Protection or Poison?
10:21 Rethinking Sunscreen: The Risk-Benefit Ratio of Sunshine
13:26 Unveiling 7 Health Benefits of Sunshine
13:29 #1 Vitamin D Production: Sunshine’s Top Benefit
16:22 #2 Strengthening Bones with Sunlight
17:30 #3 Sunlight as Nature’s Bacteria Killer
18:43 #4 Lowering Blood Pressure: The Nitric Oxide Connection
28:30 #5 Better Sleep through Sunlight Exposure
29:43 #6 Boosting Mood: Sunlight and Serotonin
31:48 #7 Morning Sunlight for Weight Loss
40:28 How Much Sunlight Do You Need Daily?
42:41 Finding the Right Balance: Just Enough Sunshine
43:55 Conclusion: The Benefits and Risks of Sun Exposure

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