Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine

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"One of the most healing agents of nature is sunshine."

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Sunshine lends to man innumerable benefits. Visible light, heat, and energy are free to man, who can learn about and use sunlight in creative and useful ways. The more we learn about sunlight the more we realize that our Creator, who provided this gift, gave us more than a source of heat and light. We are going to list a few of these benefits in regard to its effect on the human body.‍

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SUNLIGHT

1. ‍‍Increases circulation
2. Cardiac output increased
3. Increases the number and efficiency of blood vessels in the skin
4. Decreases blood pressure. The maximum decrease of systolic and diastolic pressure is gradually reached in about 24 hours and may persist for six days
5. Increases oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and enables oxygen to reach tissues and joints by direct action and reflex action of the blood vessels
6. Increases number of white blood cells and their capacity for fighting infection
7. Increases gamma globulin, which is part of the immune mechanism of the body
8. Increases liver function
9. Stimulates the liver to produce a drug-metabolizing enzyme. This increases our ability to withstand pollutants in our environment. Experimental animals given a lethal dose of a chemical died without a sunlight exposure
10. Stabilizes blood sugar levels (a.) If blood sugar is too high, the effect of sunlight on the carbohydrate metabolism is almost indistinguishable from that of insulin, except that it will not take the blood sugar below the normal level. (b.) It raises blood sugar, if too low.
11. It lowers cholesterol levels and triglycerides (fats) found in the blood. A decrease in cholesterol of more than 30% has been shown after sunlight exposure
12. Converts cholesterol and ergosterol in the skin to vitamin D, but only to safe levels. Vitamin D plays a part in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential elements of bone and teeth development
13. Increases muscle tone and endurance. Persons who exercised in the sunlight built muscle faster than those who exercised indoors
14. Increases metabolism
15. Sunlight comes through the eyes to the pineal gland and affects the pituitary gland, which controls the hormone production of the other endocrine glands in a beneficial way
16. Promotes the healing of wounds
17. Improves mental outlook and sense of well-being. Helps to prevent and/or counteract depression
18. Lessens stress by working both through sensory receptors in the skin, as well as through psychological factors
19. Kills streptococcus and other germs on exposure‍

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Note these key points for getting the most benefit from sunshine:

• Sunburn should be avoided, since it is a stress for the body and disrupts the many functions that the skin performs and requires healing energy.
• Keep your exposures to the point of below reddening.
• Shorter, multiple exposures are better than one long exposure.
• The higher risk times for getting sunburned are between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so you may want to time yourself.
• One should be bathed before having an exposure. Avoid oils and creams, as they may be converted to harmful substances.
• Have a diet low in fats.
• Glass filters out 95% of the beneficial ultra-violet rays, so you will not want to sunbathe behind glass.
• Begin with four minutes to each quadrant; front, back, and sides when sunbathing.
• Exercising and laboring moderately every day throughout the year will allow our skin to slowly build up a healthy, glowing tan. This will help prevent sunburn, as well as encourage overall health.

"Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun." Ecclesiastes l l:7.

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings...." Malachi 4:2.