The Benefits of Sunlight

Despite what we have been led to believe about sunlight, the right amount of responsible sun bathing can make you happier and healthier. Considering the sun as a friend by using it responsibly can be very beneficial as long as we avoid the damaging effects of chronic exposure.

Make sure you understand the risks of skin cancer verses your sunlight needs. Of course we should not get burned or look directly into the sun, but a small amount of daily sunshine on our skin and in our eyes (indirectly) is essential for good health.

New research suggests that sunshine may reduce the risk of many forms of cancer such as prostrate, breast, colon and ovarian cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is our main source of Vitamin D. The major biological function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. And as we know calcium is essential for good bone health.

Researchers have found that Vitamin D from sunlight also plays a role in increasing the amount of oxygen your blood can transport around the body, which in turn, will boost your energy levels, sharpen your mental faculties and give you an improved feeling of well-being.

Chronic skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis have also been shown to improve during safe sunbathing.

The fear of skin cancer is one of the main reasons given for staying out of the sun. During our research we have found that the imbalance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids as well as the lack of essential nutrients such as anti oxidants from a balanced diet, may also play a role in the development of skin cancer.

The research is beginning to bear out the need for safe sun exposure. By limiting sun exposure, changing our diet ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 to a diet similar to that of our ancestors, (one more closely reflecting a diet ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids) and making other dietary improvements we may start to see a decrease in the incidence of skin cancer.

The best source of Vitamin D is of course UV-B from sunlight or from natural food sources like Cod Liver Oil. Those who can not for whatever reason obtain a healthy amount of sun exposure can satisfy the bodies vitamin D requirements by taking a daily dose equivalent to 1000 IU?s of vitamin D from Cod Liver Oil. Remember, Vitamin D in milk and in most vitamins is synthetic and is not nearly as good as getting this important nutrient from the sun.

So why not reap the benefits of sunlight and begin your journey to True Healthy Living Now!

Due to personal health issues we have been researching health & fitness for the last five years. The information we have obtained has helped us and our family members get off pharmaceutical drugs and regain a level of health we had never known.

Please visit us at: http://www.myrevive.com/darleneanddoug, http://www.truehealthylivingnow.blogspot.com, http://survivingdepression101.blogspot.com

Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

Perhaps you are seeking an alternative method of improving your existing condition? There has been lots of research over the many years that have shown that natural medicine is becoming a way of life. Humans are now living longer than ever. The body has the ability to adapt to so many changes especially if you are feeling weak or fighting a virus or disease. Quite often experts state that is things are mind over matter. There are many vitamins out there that assist in your body helping itself get back to its natural functioning.

The body is known to break down and thus we get a little ill. However, there are things you can do in order to assist you with your recovery rate. Herbal and natural remedies are some ways to help with the healing process. Often we can get tired and our body is sore. However, rest and a few old fashioned remedies can really help a lot. Good old-fashioned cold sore remedies include lysine and keeping your hands clean. If you get ill often you should drink lots of water or juice and take some vitamin C. This has traditionally been known to help the body fight disease.

Herbal remedies have been around for a long period of time. Many people drink green tea and feel a lot of energy upon consuming it. However, each body has a different reaction when it comes down to it. Natural remedies are great also as you are not taking any medication and really on what the good earth has in order to help you heal. They say if you eat well and have a good life balance, your odds of success are great. For cold sore treatments some people take oral pills or tropical treatment. It really depends on just how your body can react.

Alan Zunec is an author and publisher on alternative medicine. You can find tips at Natural remedies- where knowledge is power.

The Skin Benefits Of Omega 3 Tinned But Untamed

Omega 3 fatty acids and protein are great for healthy skin. Hair, skin and nails are mostly made of protein, though the minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals we get from the best type of carbohydrates - fruit and vegetables - are also crucial if skin care is your goal.

Protein is needed to repair cells, it is important for energy levels, balancing blood sugar levels, and is involved with glutathione production. Glutathione is an important antioxidant, and antioxidants are essential components of eating your way to beauty.

So what are some good sources of protein that are somewhat under-represented in our average diet?

Fish is excellent as it supplies both protein, and the omega 3 fatty acids, which are believed to contribute to skin health. The oily fish like salmon, tuna, cod and mackerel are good natural sources of omega 3, that have the advantage of avoiding the reflux problem associated with many fish oil supplements. Being a whole food, these fish also have DMAE, which is excellent for protecting cellular membranes and improving skin tone. (Angyal) Recommended sources of DMAE from fish are anchovies, sardines, and wild salmon.

Canned salmon is a good option, generally. Although it may seem strange to encourage people to eat canned salmon over fresh salmon, it has some important advantages that are the direct result of farming practices for fresh fish. According to Erica Angyal, the author of Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days, canned salmon is typically wild salmon. Wild salmon and farmed salmon that was raised in crowded pens made of nets (think of an underwater battery cage), have some important differences in nutrient value.

The food farmed salmon are fed is very different to what wild salmon eat. Wild salmon eat other sea residents such as shrimp and krill. And it is this diet that gives them the lovely pink color we associate with salmon. On the other hand, farmed salmon are fed soybean pellets and other cereal based food, which changes their ratio of essential fatty acids. They become characterized by higher levels of saturated fats and omega 6 fatty acids (linoleic acid), which we get plenty of in our diets anyway, and their levels of the beneficial omega 3 fatty acids become lower. Given that the whole point many people eat fish for is to change this very ratio in themselves, it seems to negate the point somewhat.

On top of this, farmed salmon, like their counterparts in the poultry and beef industries, are fed antibiotics to keep them healthy and protect the farmer's investment. There is an expectation of cost effectiveness and market value that determines the type of conditions farmed salmon grow in. To compensate for the lack of pink color, colors are added that can be made both naturally and synthetically. Whether they are natural or synthetic is generally up to the farmer.

This is not to say farmed salmon is bad, or has no omega 3 fatty acids. It does, and it is better than nothing. And fresh fish is a lovely meal. But like eating free range eggs in preference to battery cage eggs, wild salmon is an infinitely better nutritional choice.

References: E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days (Lothian, 2005)

Do you have acne? Learn which vitamins and minerals are best to help repair the skin and manage acne in this acne nutrition article. Or learn more about the effects of carbohydrates on acne in this diets to clear acne article.