VITAMIN D ESSENTIAL FROM SUN LIGHT

It is important to protect skin from sun damage, especially during summer when sun exposure is highest. From the point of maintaining beautiful skin and appearance, experts issue regular advisories to take precaution from sun burn.

However, we find undue hype being created on this score, especially by those who are aggressively marketing sun-screen lotions or face creams.  Sun damage causes premature wrinkles and lines on face and, in some extreme cases, can lead to skin disorders, including melanoma.  However, consumers also need to understand the benefits of sun light and take a balanced view.

As health experts of Vitamin D Society of Canada have highlighted, Vitamin D deficiency has been noted among large number of people – in Canada, 97 per cent people are estimated to be Vitamin D deficient, and worldwide, 1 billion people are estimated to be suffering from lack of “the sunshine vitamin”.

Vitamin D deficiency is closely linked to significantly higher rates of osteoporosis, heart disorders and even some forms of cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends Vitamin D intake of 1000 IU daily which can go to the tolerable limit of 4000 IU.  In many other northern hemisphere countries, Vitamin D from sunlight can be synthesized only in the skin during spring, summer and fall, around mid-day - 10 am to 2 pm when the UV index is above 3, and your shadow is shorter than your height.

Health experts, therefore, do not advise against sun exposure as such, but precaution against sun damage, and regular testing of Vitamin D level - a calcidiol test (also know as a 25-hyrdoxyvitamin D test). More important than your daily intake of vitamin D are your actual vitamin D blood levels. Optimal vitamin D blood levels are between 100 nmol/L to 150 nmol/L.

For balancing the need for protection against sun damage and the need to reap the benefits of sun light, Herbally Radiant experimented with the best herbal organic ingredients, and saw the wonderful healing effects of avocado on skin.  Herbally Radiant has now used it in its special aloe-based formulation “Silk Primer”. This powerful ingredient, in combination with Vitamin E and essential oils, provides the best protection from sun damage. It acts as a fine protective layer over face maintaining glowing skin even during sun exposure.

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