The Sunny (Literally) Outlook for Fighting Cardiovascular Disease

We all know that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient and that deficiency can cause mood disorders, fatigue, and muscle weakness. But research has also shown that decreased exposure to the sun correlates with higher levels of heart disease. 

Dr. Richard Weller, a dermatologist from Scotland, was interested in the Vitamin D - cardiovascular health relationship, and has been researching the mechanism behind it. In his TedTalk, Dr. Weller discusses how simply giving Vitamin D supplements does not reproduce the cardiovascular benefits seen in people with UV light exposure, and proposes that this is because our skin holds large stores of nitric oxide, which, when stimulated by UV light, is released into the blood stream and protects the heart against damage and disease. 

Dr. Weller also notes that while skin cancer from sun exposure is a risk, and protection efforts such as sunscreen should be employed, the incidence of heart disease related deaths are 100 times higher than those from skin cancer. 

So, if you needed a little extra push to book that sunny spring break get away ... you're welcome!

Watch the full talk right here: