Sunshine helps sleep and weight

In 1973, when John Denver sang “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy,” he was exactly right but probably didn’t know the science behind that feeling. Since then, research has found that getting a good dose of sun on your skin in the early morning and without wearing sunglasses can help you sleep better, increase your ability to shed fat and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is associated with Type 2 diabetes. That should make you happy.

One study in the journal Cell found that two kinds of fat cells that provide energy to the body are regulated by light exposure. The researchers concluded that getting a dose of morning sunlight may shrink fat cells below the skin, promoting weight loss. In another study, women ages 65-plus with higher vitamin D levels (sunlight builds vitamin D) were less likely to gain weight. And a study in PLOS One, looking at the impact of early-in-theday light exposure on weight, found a 34% difference in weight between folks with regular early light exposure and those with little or lateday exposure.

Tune into the power of 10-30 minutes of sunlight daily to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and overcome insomnia by regulating your circadian rhythm. For the rest of the day, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 35 and sunglasses to reduce the risk of skin cancer and cataracts.

Need extra help to boost your vitamin D levels? Check out the benefits of supplements at iHerb.com’s blog: “Vitamin D: 6 Researched Health Benefits.”

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook. com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb. com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively.