Benefits of UV Light

Elevates Mood

Dr. Daniel Kripke, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, found that bright light treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in depression. "Bright light does help severely depressed people feel better, and it works faster than our standard treatment of drugs or psychotherapy."

Assists weight loss

UV light assists in weight loss. Farm animals living outdoors don't fatten as easily as those living indoors. This has also been confirmed in studies in which animals exposed to UV light lose weight. This effect is thought to be caused by the fact that UV stimulates the thyroid gland, which increases metabolism and thus burns calories.

Reduces cholesterol

UV light reduces cholesterol. In one experiment, patients with hypertension and related circulatory problems were exposed to UV light. Two hours after the first exposure, 97% of the patients had almost a 13% decrease in serum cholesterol levels. Within this Group, 86% maintained this level 24 hours later.

It should also be noted that other types of fats implicated in heart disease (fatty acids, mono/di/trigly-cerides) are also reduced by exposure to UV radiation. This probably occurs because the body requires UV light to help break down cholesterol.

Lowers blood pressure

It was first noticed in the early 1900s that UV radiation from the sun lowers blood pressure in both normal individuals and those with elevated blood pressure.

In fact, in one study, people exposed to just one treatment of ultraviolet light noticed a dramatic lowering of their elevated blood pressure. They found that the effect lasted from five to six days.

Activates vitamin D production

UV light activates the synthesis of vitamin D, which is a prerequisite for the absorption of calcium and other minerals from the diet. Robert Neer and Associates conducted a study on a group of elderly veterans to determine if extra sunlight would increase their ability to absorb calcium from their diets.

All of the men received approximately 200 IU per day of vitamin D in their diets. One group of these men lived in an environment with full spectrum lighting (which contains UV), while the other group's living quarters had ordinary indoor lighting (which contains no UV). The group receiving UV absorbed 40% more calcium from their diet than their counterparts who received no ultraviolet exposure.

Increases levels of sex hormones

UV light increases the level of sex hormones. In a study at Boston State Hospital, Dr. Abraham Myerson found that ultraviolet light increased male hormone levels by 120%. Ultraviolet light also increases the level of female hormones.

Another medical laboratory found that estrogen has a sharp peak of absorption in a portion of the UV range (290 nanometers) that many people claim is dangerous and not needed. However, this finding indicates that estrogen is most efficient when a woman is exposed to UV wavelengths.

Increases the efficiency of the heart

At the Tulane School of Medicine, Dr. Raymond Johnson exposed 20 people to ultraviolet light. In 18 of the 20 people tested, their hearts became stronger and pumped more blood.