As summertime prepares to make it's official appearance, the sun will start to shine more often and the pharmacies will stock their shelves with sunscreen, begging you to load up on the SPF during these warm months. And if you don't plan on wearing the sunscreen, the health experts preach to stay inside and avoid damaging your skin. It's important to realize, however, that spending a decent amount of time outside exposed to the sun is critical for your overall health and well-being.
As we've reported in the past, sunlight is the best way for your body to receive vitamin D. Without this important vitamin, your body can't produce calcium transporters, the devices that are responsible for carrying calcium through the intestinal cell wall to the bones throughout your body. This means that regardless of the amount of calcium you consume, your cells and bones will not receive it without vitamin D.
Taking Care of Your Skin
While we believe that sun exposure is key to healthy living, you shouldn't spend all hours of the day outside without some form of protection. You should spend enough time outside to get essential vitamin D, but avoiding sunburn is essential. Health experts have made sunscreen out to be the "safest" way to protect yourself, but in fact, layering your skin with dozens of chemicals can be even more harmful.
"Layering your skin with chemicals can be more harmful."
Your best bet is to wear protective clothing outdoors if you plan on being outside for extended periods of time. To absorb vitamin D properly, start by spending short bursts of time exposed to the sun. This will prepare your skin and reduce your risk for dealing with sunburn that comes with staying out in the sun for too long.
Consider a Plant-Based Eating Regimen Like the Hallelujah Diet
Following a plant-based diet keeps your body in top shape - skin included. Fueling your body with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables loaded with antioxidants like vitamins C, E, A, carotenoids and B complex allows you to maintain a strong and healthy complexion, and helps your body produce more melanin, the pigment that healthy skin makes as a natural form of protection in the sun. They say inflammation is the silent killer, and we believe this holds true when it comes to your skin as well. A healthy diet gives the body the strength it needs to self heal, while a poor diet feeds inflammation and could make you more likely to burn when your skin is exposed to the sun.
Beyond following our primarily raw, plant-based diet, we recommend taking our Vitamin D3-K2 supplement. Not only does it support healthy bones and cardiovascular wellness, it also helps calcium metabolize throughout the body. The vitamin D3 increases calcium absorption, while vitamin K2 properly deposits the calcium in your system.
The power of plant-based eating is endless. Discover the wonders today!
