Is Ultraviolet light good or bad
for your health?
By James Jordan, J.D., C.N.C.
Is Ultraviolet light good or bad
for your health? 
Research indicates that full spectrum light has numerous dramatic
health benefits. Full spectrum light has two parts: one visible,
one invisible. The visible spectrum consists of all the colors
of natural sunlight, as found in a rainbow or light refracted
in a prism.
Ultraviolet light (UV), although invisible, is present the entire
time outdoors during the day - even on cloudy days. Many of
us have been led to believe that UV light is bad for us and
contributes to skin cancer. This partly true and partly false.
Actually UV light is divided into three types depending on wavelength:
- Near UV (UV-A) - which tans us.
- Mid UV (UV-B) - stimulate the production of Vitamin
D3 in our skin and are essential for the absorption of calcium
into bones and stimulates our immune system.
- Far UV (UV-C) - although hospitals use UV-C to kill bacteria
and viruses, UV-C is widely believed to increase the risk
of cancer. Fortunately most UV-C is blocked from reaching
us by the earth's ozone layer.
Research has found that although overexposure to sun greatly increases
your chance of getting skin cancer, regular moderate exposure
may actually decrease the risk of skin cancer. One rigorous
study found that the incidence of malignant melanomas was considerably
higher in office workers than in people who were regularly exposed
to sunlight in their occupations or lifestyles. In fact, sunbathers
were in one of the lowest risk groups - they were only half as
likely to get malignant skin cancers as the office workers.
In his book "Light: Medicine of the Future", Jacob Liberian, O.D.,
Ph.D., lists some of benefits of Ultraviolet A and B including:
- UV light activates the synthesis of Vitamin D, which is
a prerequisite for the absorption of calcium and other minerals
from the diet. In a controlled study, the group receiving
UV absorbed 40% more calcium from their diet than their counterparts
who received no UV.
- UV light lowers blood pressure.
- UV light improves electrocardiogram (EKG) readings and
blood profiles of individuals with arteriosclerosis (hardening
of the arteries).
- UV lowers LDL (so called bad cholesterol) by 13% within
two hours of exposure.
- UV light assists in weight loss. Perhaps due to the stimulating
effect on the thyroid.
- UV light is effective in treating psoriasis. 80% of people
suffering from psoriasis improved when exposed to UV light
according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
- UV light is an effective treatment for many other health
problems including tuberculosis and asthma.
- UV light increases the level of sex hormones.
- UV light activates solitrol, an important hormone in the
skin that works in conjunctions with the pineal hormone melatonin.
It is believed that solitrol is a form of Vitamin D3, which
influences the immune system in addition to other regulatory
hormones in the body.
The best way to get UV light is of course to get outdoors even
if for only ten or fifteen minutes per day. My personal belief
is that moderate sunlight exposure during the day for ½ to 1 hour
per day is optimum for health. In the summer in Northern climates
or year round nearer the equator you should avoid mid-day direct
sunlight from 11 am - 2pm.
Just make sure some skin is exposed to the sun and sunglasses
or contact lenses - which block beneficial UV light, do not cover
your eyes. Indirect UV light in the eyes activates the pituitary
gland and helps regulate all hormones in the body.
For those of us who live in northern climates or who work indoors
long hours, sometimes it is just not possible to get a healthy
dose of daily sunlight. Last spring when I opened my new office
I installed full spectrum florescent lighting from a company called
American Environmental Products. Over the years I had researched
many lighting products and am convinced these are the best on
the market. Their products only produce the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths
- so you get all the health benefits of UV light without any of
the risk of UV-C light.
Full Spectrum lighting has been used therapeutically to help
with many conditions including:
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Depression
- Immune system dysfunction
- Sleep disorders
- Jet Lag
- Respiratory conditions
I suggest everyone get full spectrum lighting for his or her homes
and offices. Bulbs, florescent tubes and light boxes for more
direct exposure are product options that are available. American
Environmental Products is the manufacturer of the highest quality
full-spectrum light products and primarily sells directly to businesses
or healthcare practitioners. If you are interested in purchasing
the best full-spectrum lighting contact my office and I will help
you select the product that is best for your needs.
For more information, please visit James Jordan’s Web site, www.createvibranthealth.com.
By James Jordan, J.D., C.N.C.
