Health – Does sunshine make you happy?

Sunshine represents light and warmth and all things happy! But maybe there is a little bit of science to help explain exactly why it makes us feel happy. 

Sunshine is our main source of vitamin D. UVB from the sun’s rays interacts with our skin to create vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety and studies now indicate that supplementation with vitamin D may help to alleviate both depression and anxiety. 

In fact, it turns out vitamin D is not only involved in mental well-being but is also responsible for many different functions in the body. From reducing inflammation and bone formation, immunity to diabetes, vitamin D plays a pivotal role.

Research suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and inflammation and it is now thought that boosting it could decrease chronic inflammation. Vitamin D is also important for our bones as it helps our bodies to absorb the calcium from our diets in order to maintain a healthy bone density. 

Vitamin D has been demonstrated to have a role in our body’s defences against germs and can be very helpful in the winter months with studies even indicating that adequate levels of vitamin D may decrease the risk of developing severe symptoms with covid or flu. New research now suggests that increasing vitamin D levels may help to decrease insulin resistance. This can in turn lead to better diabetic control, but more studies are required. 

Vitamin D deficiency is a common medical issue worldwide. It is estimated that a billion people are deficient or have insufficient amounts of this vitamin. This is particularly true in New Zealand as, with our high rates of skin cancer, many simply avoid going out in the sun. Of course when we do, we wear sunscreen and this also blocks the UVB rays and thus our ability to create vitamin D for ourselves.

Vitamin D can be taken in supplement form. Ask your local pharmacist which dose would be best for you. Note also that doses are different in winter and summer. You can now purchase a home test to give you an idea of whether you are deficient in vitamin D. These are also available from your local pharmacy.