by Dr. Joseph Mercola

If you enjoy feeling the warm rays of the sun on your skin, you already know that sunlight feels good. But you might not know that it can also be good for you.

For decades, people have been told by experts and the media that the sun is harmful and should be avoided. We've been told there's no such thing as a healthy tan, and we've been warned to cover our skin, coat ourselves in chemical sunscreens, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. It turns out that this advice is not only inaccurate; it is a contributing factor to a significant amount of the disease and illness in our society.
 

That's because exposure to sunlight is the ideal and safest way for your body to obtain vitamin D. It's nearly impossible to get adequate amounts of this vital nutrient from your
diet without supplementation. This is why sensible exposure to natural sunlight is absolutely essential for optimal health. Whether it's due to misguided warnings about the danger of sunlight, lifestyles that keep people indoors during daytime hours, or even because they live too far north, most people do not get enough sunlight to create the vitamin D their bodies need.

And, yes... you DO need vitamin D.

Increasing numbers of scientists agree that vitamin D deficiencies are widespread in the North American population, leading to a wide variety of health problems. In fact, vitamin D deficiency is clearly linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and depression. It's also associated with autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition, without enough vitamin D, your body is unable to absorb calcium. That's why sufficient levels of vitamin D are crucial for healthy bones. Over 25 million adults in the United States have, or are at risk of developing, osteoporosis, a disease characterized by fragile bones.

Clinical studies also show that a deficiency of vitamin D increases the risk of a number of different cancers, including four of the most common: breast, prostate, colon, and skin cancer.

The risk of all of these conditions, however, can be reduced naturally . . . simply by maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D.

This is not to say that too much sun exposure cannot cause skin cancer. It can . . . if you allow your skin to get burned. To avoid burning, limit the amount of time you spend in strong (afternoon) sunlight, and moderate your exposure with clothing. Sunscreens should generally be avoided. They virtually eliminate your body's production of vitamin D and also contain a number of potentially harmful chemicals. A better choice is the natural protection provided by a tan…Our triple strength all natural tanning pills will allow you to obtain this natural protection without over exposure. Twenty minutes of exposure twice per week is all you need… to order or learn more about safe tanning and Tanamins go to www.allabouttanning.com
 

There seems to be a never-ending battle regarding the cardiovascular safety of cox-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex. These medications have been known to cause:

• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Life-threatening skin reactions

Ironically, despite health concerns, direct-to-consumer marketing for these potentially harmful drugs has appeared in advertisements everywhere.

Should marketing these drugs be permitted?

"The heart attack risks of arthritis painkillers Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex have exposed a regulatory 'house of cards' at the Food and Drug Administration," wrote Dr. Eric J. Topol, the chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Topol has been an outspoken critic of the drug companies. www.mercola.com/2004/dec/1/vioxx_warning.htm

JAMA has released this editorial he wrote and allowed the public free access to it.

In the article, Dr. Topol continues to state:

"These drugs were mass-marketed from the moment they were commercially available in the new world of direct-to-consumer advertising, with unrealistic expectations about pain relief, marked gastrointestinal protection and safety. One has to question the wisdom of allowing direct-to-consumer advertising for lifestyle medications that have no capability of preserving life or preventing major events such as heart attack or stroke."

I say it is high time the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reevaluates their policy of allowing drugs to be advertised on TV. However, since pharmaceutical companies have spent huge sums lobbying Congress, we may never see the FTC reverse its policy unless the public cries loud enough .FDA officials have not publicly addressed the issue of whether high-powered advertising campaigns for newly approved drugs are in the best interest of public health. Consider these facts:

Drug companies will spend over three billion dollars this year to advertise their drugs to consumers this year.

That may seem like a bunch of money but it is peanuts compared to their return.

Americans spent will spend over 500 billion dollars on drugs this year.

Drug companies are not stupid. They have been able to change the rules so they can now market to consumers directly.

It is no wonder why 2/3 of doctor visits result in a drug being prescribed.

Many of our customers have been able to avoid prescription drugs instead have chosen natural alternatives such as our Cholesterol Care… www.cholesterolcarehome.com and our all natural Prostate Care… www.menshealthtech.com/prostate_care.htm

Whether you live in the Snow belt or not, the short winter days that follow the holiday excitement can be just plain depressing. Dr. Thayer, professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach, and has done extensive research on how people can enhance their sense of well-being even during winter's darkest and dullest days.

KEEP ON EXERCISING

For some people, maintaining a routine exercise program becomes too much of a chore in winter, so they avoid exercise. That, says Dr. Thayer, explains much of the lethargy and bad mood that descends this time of year. Critical to avoiding the doldrums is to have high energy and lowered tension. Exercise directly impacts both, and all it takes is five to 10 minutes per day.

You can increase your energy and keep it revved for several hours through the simplest exercise of all -- a five- to 10-minute brisk walk. Dr. Thayer's research has found this benefit to be very productive. In one study, he looked at the energy impact of walking. When tested after one hour, the walkers reported a substantial rise in energy and continued to feel more energetic for the following hour as well. According to Dr. Thayer, a 10-minute walk also gives you a cheerful outlook and clearer thinking.

An added benefit of a daily walk is the absorption of invigorating sunshine. (see related article).

MORE EXERCISE, MORE ENERGY?

For some, five to 10 minutes is not quite enough to get them past the winter blues. Dr. Thayer suggests that by performing about 45 minutes of harder exercise, such as aerobic training, you will immediately reduce tension. Although your energy level will take longer to improve -- you're likely to feel tired for about an hour after this kind of workout it will surge shortly after that and stay high for a number of hours more. Dr. Thayer says that this type of exercise is the best antidote to negative moods, including anxiety and frustration, or what he describes as "tense tiredness."

SUNNY FOODS

Winter is notorious, of course, for changing food choices -- somehow we tend to reach for rich comfort foods, such as macaroni and cheese or heavy desserts. Choosing foods that provide proper nutrition can help keep your energy up.

Nutritionist Judith Mabel, RD, PhD, says that the predictable craving for comfort food in winter makes stews, soups and root vegetables -- carrots, sweet potatoes and the like -- good choices. They are nutritious yet still fill the comfort need. However, she adds that because the body naturally slows a bit in winter, it's important to make your portions just a little smaller.

AROMATHERAPY

Your sense of smell can work wonders at keeping your energy up in the winter, too. Herbalist and aroma therapist Barry Grace says that any of the citrus essential oils -- orange, lemon or tangerine, for instance -- are reputed "instant mood boosters". She adds that clary sage oil is known to be a euphoric. Better: Mix a few drops of it with several drops of a citrus or lavender oil.
 

• How to Avoid One of
  Today’s Major Health
  Challenges...

• Should Drugs be
  Advertised on
  Television?…

• Eliminate The
  Winter Blahs...