It’s getting to that point in the year where we basically turn into creatures of the night.
And that’s not just because party season is starting to ramp up, it’s also because the sun is just refusing to make an appearance.
We’re getting up for work in the dark, commuting in the dark, staying inside all day to hide from the cold, and by the time we leave the office for the day, yep, it’s dark again.
This bleak weather is perfect for spooky season, and it’s great for hibernating and binging box sets – but what is this complete lack of sunlight doing to our bodies?
A new study has found that almost half of London office workers only receive up to 30 minutes of sunlight a day during the winter, and two‐thirds estimated they receive less than an hour of sunlight a day
The detrimental effects of too much sun is well-documented. We all know that we need to cover up in summer and wear SPF to protect against cancer, premature aging and harmful free-radicals.
But too little sun – less is known about that. Essentially it comes down to vitamin D.
‘A lack of sun exposure on a long-term basis can have detrimental effects our bodies, which is why ensuring you get enough vitamin D is crucial, even if this is in supplement form,’ says Dr Clare Morrison, GP and medical advisor at Medexpress.
‘A lack of sunlight can cause a multitude of problems such as weak bones, foot deformities, some cancers, depression, skin problems, weight gain and cognitive issues.
‘In short, a lack of vitamin D not only affects you physically but also mentally, without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels can dip and low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression and SAD.’
Dr Morrison says D3 is the most effective and important form of the vitamin, and the best way to get it in your diet is through oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, fish oil, eggs, liver and butter.
‘In addition, the body makes its own D3 when the skin is exposed to direct sunlight,’ she adds. ‘In a pretty sun-starved nation, getting our vitamin D fix from the sun, especially in the long drawn out winter can be tough, so sourcing the most active and usable form of vitamin D from our food is imperative.
Signs of vitamin D deficiency
Frequent illness or infections
Bone and back pain
Low mood
Hair loss
Muscle pain
Fatigue and tiredness
If you’re worried about any of these symptoms, speak to your GP
It’s also important to note that people with dark skin, so if you’re of African, African-Caribbean or south Asian origin, will need to spend longer in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin. So dietary supplements might be even more important.
‘The quickest way to up your intake is to take daily Vitamin D supplements.
‘You can also try and find a Vitamin D serum oil for a topical skin application, this will help to give your skin direct contact with the vitamin which should help alleviate some skin conditions you may suffer with as a result of the lack of sun.’
She even says that some people use sun beds during the winter to get their fix, but she stresses that this should only be on the odd occasion so as not to put yourself at risk of skin cancers.
‘With the UK subject to long, cold winters, this also puts you at a higher risk of developing symptoms of a lack of vitamin D.
‘You may also want to look at booking a winter holiday somewhere hot, a week in the sun can do wonders for your skin, mind and overall health.’
We can’t think of a better excuse to start looking for flights.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/25/health-dangers-not-getting-enough-sunlight-10980408/
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