The Effect of Sunshine on Aging
If you need some incentive to spend time outside in the chilly months, how about this: It may help you subtract five years from your age.
A recent study looked at 2,160 women aged 18 to 79. Researchers evaluated the women’s blood levels of vitamin D, signs of aging in DNA, and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation). And they found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D had healthier chromosomes in their DNA – so much so that it represented a five-year difference in chronological aging.
Because the sun is farther from the earth during the winter months (and because we bundle up when it’s cold outside!), we absorb much less of the sun’s age-reversing, vitamin D-producing rays. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D by supplementing with a high quality supplement – like this one made by Carlson’s, [link to:] which has 2,000 IU per soft gel.
But please remember: Never take more than 5,000 IU of vitamin D on a regular basis without consulting a physician and having your blood levels tested.
[Ed. Note: Sunshine and vitamin D can do more than help keep you young. They can have positive effects on everything from cancer and diabetes to athletic performance, brain function, and neonatal health. To learn more about the vital connection between sun exposure, vitamin D, and your health, click here.
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