Get Out in the Sun

Effective brain training requires a holistic approach that encompasses cognitive, physical, metabolic, and lifestyle factors related to brain health.

Getting out in the sun supports several factors important for brain health and function. Many people are aware of the relationship between sun exposure and vitamin D.

There are five forms of vitamin D. Each has a different role in the body. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces a bioactive or readily available form of Vitamin D known as cholecalciferol.

Vitamin D doesn’t act like other vitamins. Some people say it shouldn’t be considered a vitamin because it acts as a pre-hormone. Vitamin D is used to synthesize many hormones that circulate throughout our bodies. If we don’t have adequate stores of vitamin D, we can’t form cholesterol appropriately, as well as other types of hormones that help the body and brain work efficiently.

It's important to note that some people in certain cultures can’t absorb vitamin D very well or convert it into the appropriate form. There are also individuals who need to take vitamin D supplements.

There are also challenges for people who have had their gallbladder removed. The gallbladder stores surplus bile created by the liver. One of the things this does is to help the body to digest fats. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin.

It's critical to understand that if you’re having problems with vitamin D levels, there are things you can do about it. They are very easily measured. There are many ways to get around that, and it’s worth discussing with your health care provider as well as a healthcare provider who specializes in functional medicine. There are several options, such as pills, sublingual (under-the-tongue) forms, and topical vitamin D supplements.

Get Out In The Sun!

If you don’t have a medical condition influencing your vitamin D levels, then the best way to get the bioactive stores of vitamin D is to get out into the sun.

Now for those people who are living in climates that don’t get a lot of sun: it doesn’t take a long time; 10, 15, or 20 minutes in direct sunlight can really help to boost vitamin D levels better than any pill ever could.

Be ever mindful of over-exposure; always get an annual all-over skin exam by a dermatologist, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Contributor Author: Dr. Michael Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Founder of APEX Brain Centers in Asheville, NC. For more information, please visit our Author's page.

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