6 Health Benefits Of UV Light
Various ailments have been supposedly addressed with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun for many centuries. It’s been found that different layers of the skin contain molecules called chromophores that absorb UV light. Nonetheless, there are positive and negative biological consequences when one’s skin is exposed to UV light.
Despite the negative reactions of one’s skin when exposed to too much sunlight, the current situation of the novel coronavirus has encouraged some people to get more sunshine on a daily basis. Many ongoing studies have yet to find the best way to increase prevention of this disease, but you can check out this site and discover how UV light can reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Read on to discover some other health benefits of UV light.
1. Source Of Vitamin D
When people are outside getting some sunshine, it’s possible for their general level of well-being to improve, and their blood circulation may also be stimulated. This is because the skin produces vitamin D when exposed to a moderate amount of UV rays. This nutrient aids in calcium metabolism, insulin output, blood pressure, resistance, and cell creation. Increased vitamin D levels are associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes as well.
Enhanced calcium and phosphate intake from food is a pivotal function of vitamin D, which is important in bone formation, immune function, and blood cell production. The summer months are the perfect time to get more sun than usual. One to two hours are sufficient, but 15-20 minutes a week of sun exposure for 2-3 hours a day should help keep your vitamin D levels up.
2. Treats Some Skin Conditions
UV radiation in the form of modern phototherapy can be used to minimize some skin issues. However, this kind of procedure doesn’t negate the risks associated with UV radiation. It’s supervised by a doctor to ensure that its benefits outweigh the dangers.
Here are some skin diseases that UV light can help treat:
Psoriasis – The most popular psoriasis treatment is psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy or photochemotherapy. An oral form of psoralen is administered to the patient, making the skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Lupus Vulgaris – This can cause large ulcers and scars on the face and neck that tend to be hard to treat. Danish doctor Neils Finsen developed a UVB lamp for curing the disease, and it was so successful that it earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1903.
Vitiligo – A person with this autoimmune condition develops pale, white patches on the skin over a long period. This occurs because of a lack of melanin. Vitiligo can affect any part of the body, but it is most common on the face, neck, and hands. Repigmentation might be possible with PUVA therapy.
Rickets – One cause of this disease is inadequate calcium intake, but it may also be due to a lack of vitamin D, which increases calcium absorption from food and enables it to enter the bone. In most cases, rickets can be treated with supplements containing vitamin D and calcium. As such, moderate UV light can help treat it too.
3. Helps With Hypertension
Studies have shown that UVB exposure may lower blood pressure in patients deficient in vitamin D and who have high blood pressure. UV radiation has been discovered to have measurable health benefits in other medical trials and studies independent of vitamin D.
4. Increases Melanin
The skin produces more melanin when exposed to moderate UV radiation. A protective layer of melanin absorbs both types of UV radiation, dissipating it into heat and thereby protecting the skin from any kind of DNA damage. Although this particular benefit is good, overexposure to UV rays may lead to sunburn.
5. Cosmetic Tanning
Various factors influence the amount of UV radiation that comes from the sun. Winter months at higher latitudes are associated with decreased pigmentation due to colder temperatures and reduced UV levels. But it’s not uncommon for some people to tan themselves all year for cosmetic reasons. They may either use sunbeds or jet off to tropical destinations when there’s not enough sunshine in their current location.
6. Mood Enhancement
It is generally thought that mild amounts of sunlight are pleasant. Being exposed to the sun has been associated with improved energy levels and higher moods. Tanning improves mood, so people who tan may feel more relaxed than those who don’t. This phenomenon might be due to the belief that people look better tanned. Furthermore, UV exposure could produce positive endorphins, which may induce mood enhancement and relaxation in the brain.
Conclusion
In contrast to what most people say, UV light offers some benefits worth looking into. When appropriately used, VB and UVC waves extracted from sunlight can both protect people from infection as well as help manage a variety of skin conditions. Given that COVID-19 is still rampant in many countries, it’s more important now than ever before to get some sun and your daily dose of vitamin D.
