The Sun.
It is worshiped by most cultures and provides the very basis of life. Without its seemingly unlimited supply of energy, the earth would become a cold, barren rock, devoid of any living thing. Yet as with all bountiful gifts, the sun must be treated with respect, for its life-giving rays bring with it equally harmful effects.
Sun exposure is necessary for human health. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, a cholesterol compound beneath the skin is converted into vitamin D and this nutrient is then absorbed into the body. Vitamin D is essential for proper growth and development of bones and teeth in children. It is also involved in heart beat regulation, enhances immunity, prevents muscle weakness, promotes proper thyroid function, supports the nervous system, and normalizes blood clotting.
The sun also keeps us warm and provides energy to grow the fruits, grains, and vegetables that are a staple of our diet.
However, excess UV exposure can result in sunburn, premature aging and, at worst, skin cancer. The redness of sunburn is caused by clogged and swollen capillaries that supply blood to the skin. In severe sunburns, blood vessels become damaged and destroy elastic fibres in the skin, causing it to sag and wrinkle.
Approximately 80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs by the time we are nineteen years old. Prevention at an early age is thus key.
