MAILBAG: Shining a Light on Sun Exposure Safety

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted July 11, 2023

“I’ve heard that being in the sun is good for you, but what about skin cancer? How can the sun be both good and bad for you?”

– Pam, Indianapolis, IN

Hi Pam,

That’s exactly right! Sunlight IS both good and bad for you.

And like so many things, the truth about how much you should get is somewhere between the claims of the never-sun people and the sun-doesn’t-hurt-you folks.

Too MUCH sunlight can indeed damage our skin. If you want proof, take a look at your buttocks in a mirror. (Yes, REALLY.)

Most of us have covered up that part of our body for our entire lives, and as a result, it’s soft, smooth, and damage-free.

But our bodies NEED sun exposure. The poster child for this critical connection is vitamin D, created when sunlight strikes our skin.

Vitamin D has bunches of benefits for our bodies, including promoting stronger bones, a healthier heart and brain, and improved sleep.

Melatonin… a VITAL hormone that helps with sleep and your circadian rhythm… is also produced in response to sunlight levels.

It’s only recently in our history that we risked not getting enough sun. These days we spend most of our time indoors. And when we do go outside, we cover our skin in clothing and slather on sunscreen to avoid the sunlight.

The key to healthy sun exposure is the DOSE.

You may have heard that you only need 15 minutes of sun a day. But that guideline doesn’t consider that MOST of us have circumstances that affect how much sunlight we need.

They may include…

• living too far north
• covering your body entirely with clothes
• wearing sunscreen
• having darker skin
• not going outside at the right time
• being a senior

I suggest people step outside for some sun in the early morning or right before sunset. Aim for a minimum of 20 minutes daily. The sun’s rays are not as intense at those times, so your risk of overexposure is far lower.

Embrace the sunlight. Just do it mindfully.

P.S. As unlikely as it sounds, getting MORE sunlight is linked to a LOWER risk of developing breast cancer. CLICK HERE for the explanation.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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