Sunlight & Vitamin D

In the absence of underlying organic causes (e.g., liver or kidney disease, prematurity), vitamin D deficiency is sunlight deficiency.

"Vitamin D" is actually a steroid hormone produced in the body from a pro-steroid which is formed upon direct exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight.

Migration, industrialization, urbanization, social inequities, and concern about skin cancer have reduced sunlight exposure for many people globally.

Nonetheless, direct, casual exposure of the skin to sunlight is the biologically normal, most common, and most important means of attaining sufficient levels of vitamin D for humans.

Dietary intake becomes important only with inadequate endogenous production and depletion of body stores.

Only a few foods naturally contain significant levels of vitamin D (e.g., the liver and oils of some fatty fish). Without supplementation or enrichment, it would be unusual for people of any age to obtain sufficient vitamin D solely from their diet.

The biologically normal sources of vitamin D for infants are primarily prenatal stores (for the neonate) and sunlight, with a smaller contribution made by human milk.

Without postnatal sunlight exposure, vitamin D stores of fetal origin were depleted by eight weeks in exclusively breastfed infants!!!

However, studies in children have shown that only a few hours total of summer sunlight produces enough vitamin D to avoid deficiency for several months.

In a study of exclusively breastfed Caucasian infants under six months of age, 30 minutes/week (diaper only) or 2 hours/week (fully clothed without a head cover) of sunlight exposure appeared sufficient to prevent deficiency.

Exclusively breastfed Caucasian infants exposed to sunlight may not require vitamin D supplementation during the first six months of life, in spite of seasonal variations of UVB exposure, particularly if their mothers had sufficient sunlight exposure or took prenatal vitamins during pregnancy

Darkly pigmented infants may require three to six times the sunlight exposure of lightly pigmented infants to produce the same amount of vitamin D.

When infants and their mothers are exposed to biologically normal amounts of sunlight, human milk can be assumed to contain biologically normal amounts of vitamin D, thereby helping both the mother and the child.

Vitamin D deficiency in childhood can cause rickets whose signs and symptoms include bone deformities and fractures, muscle weakness, developmental delays, short stature, failure to thrive, respiratory distress, tetany, and heart failure.

In other words, Rickets is an abnormal bone formation in children resulting from inadequate calcium in their bones., especially when their bones are growing, in their growing years.

This lack of calcium can result from inadequate dietary calcium,¹ inadequate exposure to sunshine (needed to make vitamin D), or from not eating enough vitamin D—a nutrient needed for calcium absorption. Vitamin D is found in animal foods, such as egg yolks and dairy products.

Some health care providers may recommend the use of artificial ultraviolet B radiation or increased exposure to sunlight.

Direct exposure of the skin (i.e., hands, face, arms, etc.) to sunlight stimulates the body to manufacture vitamin D. However, both clothing and use of a sunscreen prevent the ultraviolet light that triggers the formation of vitamin D from reaching the skin.

Depending on latitude, sunlight during the winter may not provide enough ultraviolet light to promote adequate vitamin D production. At other times during the year, even 30 minutes of exposure per day will usually lead to large increases in the amount of vitamin D made. If it is difficult to get sunlight exposure, full-spectrum lighting can be used to stimulate vitamin D production.

And there can’t be a more better way to get our daily dose of Vitamin D, than to get up early morning, and walk all the way to the nearest masjid, for the FAJR prayers!!!

And that way you get the best of both the worlds, the deen and the duniya!!!

The early morning walk as an exercise, and the exposure to the early morning sunlight, the best source of Vitamin D.

Just a passing thought. ….Could this be one of the reasons that our beloved Aqua Maula (TUS), who’s so worried about mumeneens health, is seeing to it that theres a mosque built in every Mohalla, where mumeneens stay!!!!

So lets take a vow today…. Fajr Namaz in Masjid..to make our DEEN, BONES and the MUSCLES THE STRONGEST!!!!

MAY ALLAHO-SUBHANOHU, GRANT AQUA MAULA(TUS) A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE..TILL THE SUN KEEP SHINING!!! AAMEEN

ALL THE BEST FOREVER.