Benefits
of UV Light
Elevates Mood
Dr. Daniel Kripke, Professor of Psychiatry
at the University of California, San Diego, found that bright
light
treatment resulted
in a statistically significant reduction in depression. "Bright
light does help severely depressed people feel better, and
it works faster than our standard treatment of drugs or psychotherapy."
Assists weight loss
UV light assists in weight loss. Farm animals living outdoors
don't fatten as easily as those living indoors. This has
also been confirmed in studies in which animals exposed
to UV light
lose weight. This effect is thought to be caused by the
fact that UV stimulates the thyroid gland, which increases
metabolism and thus burns calories.
Reduces cholesterol
UV light reduces cholesterol. In one experiment, patients
with hypertension and related circulatory problems were
exposed to
UV light. Two hours after the first exposure, 97% of the
patients had almost a 13% decrease in serum cholesterol
levels. Within
this Group, 86% maintained this level 24 hours later.
It should also be noted that other types of fats implicated
in heart disease (fatty acids, mono/di/trigly-cerides) are also
reduced by exposure to UV radiation. This probably occurs because
the body requires UV light to help break down cholesterol.
Lowers blood pressure
It was first noticed in the early 1900s
that UV radiation from the sun lowers blood
pressure in both normal individuals and those
with elevated blood pressure.
In fact, in one study, people exposed to just one treatment
of ultraviolet light noticed a dramatic lowering of their elevated
blood pressure. They found that the effect lasted from five to
six days.
Activates vitamin D production
UV light activates the synthesis of vitamin
D, which is a prerequisite for the absorption
of calcium and other minerals from the diet.
Robert Neer and Associates conducted a study on a group
of elderly veterans to determine if extra sunlight
would increase their ability to absorb calcium
from their diets.
All of the men received approximately 200
IU per day of vitamin D in their diets. One group of these
men lived in an environment
with full spectrum lighting (which contains UV), while the other
group's living quarters had ordinary indoor lighting (which contains
no UV). The group receiving UV absorbed 40% more calcium from
their diet than their counterparts who received no ultraviolet
exposure.
Increases levels of sex hormones
UV light increases the level of sex hormones.
In a study at Boston State Hospital, Dr. Abraham
Myerson found that ultraviolet light increased
male hormone levels by 120%. Ultraviolet light
also increases the level of female hormones.
Another medical laboratory found that estrogen
has a sharp peak of absorption in a portion
of the UV range (290 nanometers) that many
people claim is dangerous and not needed. However,
this finding indicates that estrogen is most efficient when
a woman is exposed to UV wavelengths.
Increases the efficiency of the heart
At the Tulane School of Medicine, Dr. Raymond Johnson exposed
20 people to ultraviolet light. In 18 of the 20 people tested,
their hearts became stronger and pumped more blood.
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