Sun Exposure: A "Cure" for Alzheimer's, but Don't Get It Wrong!"Sister Zhang, you know at our age, our bones are prone to problems. Sun exposure can replenish Vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption and prevents osteoporosis
Sun Exposure: A "Cure" for Alzheimer's, but Don't Get It Wrong!
"Sister Zhang, you know at our age, our bones are prone to problems. Sun exposure can replenish Vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption and prevents osteoporosis. Look at my legs, since I started basking in the sun daily, I feel more energetic when walking. Also, I heard it can prevent Alzheimer's!" Aunt Wang enthusiastically shared her "sun-basking wisdom" with Aunt Zhang.
However, Aunt Zhang didn't agree: "Sister Wang, I've heard about these benefits too, but I also heard that too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. At our age, our skin isn't as resilient as it was when we were younger. What if we get sunburned? I think we should be cautious."
The dispute between Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhang reflects the confusion many people have today: what are the pros and cons of sun exposure? How can we scientifically enjoy the benefits of sunlight while avoiding potential risks?
I. Fudan Research: Moderate Sun Exposure May Prevent Alzheimer's
In recent years, more and more studies have confirmed the importance of sunlight to health, among which a research result from Fudan University is particularly noteworthy. The research team followed 362,094 participants for nine years and found a positive correlation between moderate sun exposure and a reduced risk of developing dementia.
The research results show that the optimal outdoor sunlight time is 1 hour per day in winter and 2 hours per day in summer, with an average of 1.5 hours per day. Researchers explain that outdoor light exposure can affect the production of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D plays an important role in neuroprotection, immune regulation, inflammation inhibition, and the regulation of oxidative stress, thus playing a positive role in preventing Alzheimer's disease.
II. Is Sun Exposure Good for Health When Done Right, and Can It Cause Cancer When Done Wrong?
Although moderate sun exposure is beneficial to health, if sun exposure is improper, it can also have negative effects, the most concerning of which is the risk of skin cancer.
The World Health Organization lists sunlight radiation as a Class 1 carcinogen because ultraviolet rays can directly or indirectly damage DNA. DNA changes are a major cause of cancer development.
Ultraviolet rays in sunlight can be divided into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA has the strongest penetration power and accelerates skin aging; UVB causes sunburn; UVC is blocked by the ozone layer and has a minimal impact on humans.
Studies have found that non-melanoma skin cancer is associated with prolonged, continuous sunlight exposure, while melanoma is more associated with intermittent, excessive sun exposure.
III. Scientific Sun Exposure: Pay Attention to These 5 Little Details
How can we enjoy the sun safely and effectively? The following five details should not be overlooked:
1. Different Lengths of Time for Different Age Groups
Babies and young children have delicate skin and only need 15-30 minutes of sun exposure per day; adolescents are in the prime of their growth and development, and it is recommended that they receive 1-2 hours of sun exposure per day to promote bone growth; middle-aged and elderly individuals are advised to receive 30-60 minutes of sun exposure per day.
2. Choose Times When Ultraviolet Rays Are Not Strong
Before 10 am and after 4 pm are times when ultraviolet rays are relatively weak. You can choose these time periods for outdoor activities. On cloudy days, you can choose time periods when ultraviolet rays are stronger.
3. Use Shadow Length to Find the Best Time
Shadow length can indicate the strength of ultraviolet rays: If the shadow length is greater than your height, it means the sun is strong and you are likely to get sunburned; if the shadow length is twice your height or even more, it means the ultraviolet index is low and you can safely sunbathe; if the shadow length is between 1 and 2 times your height, you need to control the amount of time you spend in the sun, around 20 minutes is safe.
4. Don't Sunbathe Through Glass
Glass blocks UVB, and Vitamin D synthesis requires UVB, so don't sunbathe through glass.
5. Pay Attention to Repair and Dietary Supplements After Sun Exposure
After sun exposure, if your skin feels hot and red, repair it promptly, such as using a cold wet towel to cool it down, applying moisturizing lotion, etc. Also, it is recommended to drink more green tea and eat foods rich in Vitamin C, which can help protect your skin.
Conclusion
Sun exposure is crucial for health, but it must be done scientifically and reasonably. Mastering scientific sun exposure methods will allow sunlight to become a "bonus" for healthy living, rather than a "deduction" from it.
References:
[1] "The Latest Research: Sun Exposure Prevents Dementia! But Too Little or Too Much Can Cause Dementia! The Optimal Time Is...". Science and Technology China, 2022-05-18
[2] "Can Sun Exposure Cause Skin Cancer?". Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Sichuan Cancer Prevention Center, 2023-07-27
[3] "Sunbathe a Little Every Day, There Are So Many Benefits! Have You Been Sunbathing Correctly?". Lanxi People's Hospital Medical Consortium, 2024-06-03
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