Prevent Cancer with Sunshine
By Al Sears, MD
If you live in the Sunshine State, as I do, you know that sunlight gets a bad rap. Dermatologists and the sunscreen industry tell you to avoid sunlight at all costs, implying that even a little exposure will cause skin cancer.
In reality, not only is a little sunlight good for you, it can dramatically reduce your risk of cancer.
Two new studies revealed that, in moderate amounts, sunlight may reduce the risk of breast cancer by as much as 50 percent. Its effect on the incidence of colorectal cancer is even more dramatic, lowering the risk by 65 percent.
How is this possible?
Sunlight boosts levels of vitamin D in your blood. When its ultraviolet rays hit your skin, your body responds by spontaneously producing this essential nutrient. That's why vitamin D is sometimes called the "sunshine" vitamin.
Researchers at the University of San Diego noted that the cancer-reduction rates from vitamin D produced by sunlight vastly outperformed even the most popular cancer drugs, such as Herceptin. Best of all, you only need 10 to 20 minutes of sunlight a day to get the cancer protection.
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