The Need to Be Moving Toward the Light

Here in J.P. in the spring and summer one can see people moving in the streets. Be it by bicycle or on foot, JP'ers love to be outside in the community. But come the winter and things change. We see more cars and less people. There is also less sunlight hours, and less sunlight during those fewer sunlight hours.Here's the rub, it's not just fun to get out and stretch your legs. All the latest health oriented studies tell us that one should have a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk walking daily. The walking literally charges the battery to maintain the immune system, lowers cholesterol, triglycerides, and sugar levels, as well as increases brain function, memory,muscle integrity, and bone density. So it is crucial that we walk all year round. That means that we must resort to treadmills, steppers, ellipticals, etc. But, that still has us indoors.What about the sunlight. Walk into the light. Many new studies are demonstrating that the winter blues and aches and pains are not just due to psychologically dreary winter days. It has been proven that in northern areas, in the winter months especially, the sunlight's deminished intensity has biological effects.The body needs exposure to ultrviolet light in order to create active circulating Vitamin D. The winter sun in our area is too weak to supply that need. The darker the skin the less available sun rays can penetrate, this was probably a good evolutionary mechanism for protection from the harsh rays of the sun. However, it proves to be a double edged sword with the migration of people to the north. Historically, the need for vitain D and bone health was well known. Lately, there have been many studies demonstrating that vitamin D is essential in brain function, especially concerning depression. Vitamin D has been linked to combatting colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer. It has been showned to be vital in joint health as well.So this winter, get walking at the gym, at the "Y", at the community center (check out Curtis Hall or Hennigan Center for schedules). And make sure to get your Vitamin D3. (vit. D and D2 are not the same thing!)