Vitamin D: the Sun as a source of well-being.

Vitamin D, often referred to as "the sunshine vitamin", plays an essential role in maintaining human health and well-being. Especially in the winter months or for those who live in colder areas where it is not possible to expose themselves to the sun for many months, the deficiency of this vitamin can cause a number of health problems. Therefore, finding out how much time we should spend in the sun to fill up on it is an important question to ensure the correct functioning of our body.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in fat and is stored in the body's fatty tissues. Its main function is to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, helping to maintain bone and tooth health. However, Vitamin D is not present in significant quantities in many foods. Exposure to the sun is, therefore, the primary source for our need for Vitamin D.

How much time should we spend in the sun?

The amount of time it takes to get enough Vitamin D from sun exposure can vary based on several factors, including:

  1. intensity of the sun: the time of day and the angle of the sun's rays influence the intensity of UVB radiation.
  2. Skin type : People with light skin synthesize Vitamin D faster than those with darker skin, as a greater amount of melanin reduces the penetration of UVB rays into the skin.
  3. Latitude and season : living in regions far from the equator, especially during the winter months, can significantly reduce exposure to sunlight and therefore influence the production of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiency

A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to health problems such as bone weakness, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases and increase the risk of infections. Over the years, a Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various types of diseases, from diabetes to cancer, from Alzheimer's to multiple sclerosis.

The "do-it-yourself" integration with Vitamin D should always be avoided because in the best case scenario our body, which is a perfect machine, eliminates what is not needed. In the worst case scenario, an excess of Vitamin D can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders and muscle pain.

In conclusion Vitamin D plays a vital role in bone health, in increasing immune defenses and in many other physiological processes in our body and sun exposure, when balanced with precautions can help meet our Vitamin D needs So exposing yourself to the sun 10-15 minutes a day can contribute to our overall well-being and long-term health.