Endeavour of good health
Gift of Sunlight Therapy !
Let's figure out some important factors of phototherapy.
by Dr. Asma Ali (Ecologist)
Vitamin D was discovered in 1920 ,after a long search to cure rickets (a painful childhood bone disease ). It is one of the 13 vitamins ,discovered in the early 20th century . Vitamins plays a crucial role in our body's metabolism ,certainly small amount is required to fill the role. Vitamin D brakes the rules for other vitamins ,because it is produces in human body and absent from all natural food, accept fish and egg yolk.
Sun is a power bank of energy we receive and its ultraviolet rays are a large source of vitamin D. Contrary inadequate sunlight exposure results vitamin D deficiency or hypo vitaminosis D, in humans . This deficiency impairs bone mineralization that causes bone softening diseases such as rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, increased risk of bone fracture and periodontitis (tooth loss).
In my previous articles on depression (http://aura-thesaurus.blogspot.com/2019/04/road-of-recovery.html) I didn't include hypovitaminosis D, which is a risk factor for depression, Several studies have revealed the fact that a person with inadequate vitamin D, at a high risk of depression.
It is interesting to know that vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol )both are fat soluble vitamins , without body fat, it is hard to observe vitamin D ,which goes fit in some athletes who strive to get a lean as possible. Excess amount of vitamin D can be stored in fat tissue of a body and used during winter when sun exposure is limited.
Let's figure out
Importence of sunlight
Production of vitamin D
When sunlight strikes on our skin, its ultraviolet rays transformed cholesterol compound into vitamin D, that is required for the absorption of calcium by the body. Awareness programmes for sunbath, throughout Europe and North America is helping to prevent rickets. But sunlight in winter season , specially in temperate zones is too feeble to prevent rickets. For this reason doctors are looking for other alternations such as Mercury or Carbon arc lamp, which proved to be an effective preventive measure and treatment.
Trigger brain power
One study led by neuroscientist David Llewellyn of the Cambridge university, assessed vitamin D level in 1700 men and women and observed that sunlight helps spur nerve cell growth in the hippocampus which is the part of the brain responsible for forming organising and storing of memories.
Importantly when light enters the eye, it stimulate neurones in the hypothalamus ( a part of brain known as mood stabilizer ). These nerve impulse transfer to the pineal gland, which regulates serotonin (feel good hormone) in different circumstances , when there is dark, the pineal gland secretes melatonin hormone that controls sleep patterns by causing drowsiness.
Sun exposure eases mild depression by increasing natural antidepressant in the brain. That is because on sunny days the brain produces more serotonin (a mood lifting chemical ) then, on darker days.
Regulates eating process
As we know, that hypothalamus, is also regulates our appetite. In, sunny days our brain automatically balanced between thirst and hunger. A recent study published in the journal personality and individual differences showed that eating in a dimly lit or dark environment may trigger us to eat more.
Skin treatment like Psoriasis
The itchy, scaly, raised patches of skin that characterize psoriasis can be treated by ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet B ,which is present in natural sunlight, is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the growth of affected skin cells.
Regulates blood pressure
Researchers at the university of Edinburgh observed that a compound nitric oxide is responsible for lowering blood pressure of the body, is released into the blood vessels as soon as sunlight touches the skin . This finding is very important because until then it was thought that sunlights only helps to produce vitamin D. Richard Weller, a senior lecturer of dermatology ,found that sun exposure not only improved our health but also prolong life.
Almost overnight ,as awareness of sun's power against rickets ,osteomalacia , osteoporosis and TB spread altitudes towards sun exposure underwent a radical shift. Sunlight therapy is not only beneficial for the treatment of bone disorder but also for TB, Rheumatic disorders, Diabetes, gout, Chronic ulcers and Wounds.
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