A few minutes a day. A walk, an outdoor moment, the face facing the light. Only 20 minutes of exposure to the sun they can trigger a precious mechanism: Vitamin D productionan extraordinary molecule that our body summarizes naturally and that acts deeply on the immune system.
We only speak of a good mood. Solar exposure favors the synthesis of this vitamin-hormone which, once activated, stimulates the production of antimicrobial peptides like the catelicidinemolecules capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and mushrooms. It is a silent and powerful process, which takes place in our body when we feed it with natural light.
It is as if the sun activated an internal “drug”: Vitamin D is in fact one of the oldest and most versatile weapons of our innate immunity.
Vitamin D is a “pro-survival” molecule
To confirm what we already knew (and perhaps underestimated) a Review published in 2017 in the scientific journal Clinical Therapeuticssigned by Salvatore Chirumbol, Geir Bjørklund, Andrea Sboarina and Antonio Vella.
According to researchers, vitamin D behaves like one “Pro-survival” moleculeor an essential element for the cell survival and the Regulation of the immune system. Not only acts to reduce inflammation, but helps the body to respond effectively and quickly to infectionssupporting the processes of elimination of pathogens and restoration of the internal balance.
The action of vitamin D, explain the authors, goes far beyond the health of the bones: participates in the adjustment of the automotive, the management of oxidative stress and the protection of cell DNA. A sort of silent director, who works in depth to keep us healthy.
According to the review, this molecule – naturally activated by sunlight – could be considered a sort of “Ancient hormone” selected by evolution precisely for his ability to keep immune functions in balance and to react to the signs of external danger, such as infections or toxins.
But there is a problem: Many people, today, present insufficient levels of vitamin D. Although we live in a sunny country, during the winter months or in the presence of mainly indoor lifestyles, The endogenous production of this vitamin can be insufficient.
The lack of vitamin D, explain the experts, is silent but dangerous: It weakens natural defenses, increases systemic inflammation and can encourage the onset of chronic diseases.
In these cases, Integration can become necessarybut always under medical supervision. A simple blood test can clarify whether the levels are adequate or if it is appropriate to intervene with a supplement, especially in the months when the sun is less intense and the more short days.
But for many of us, a good daily habit can make a difference: exposing face, arms or legs in sunlight for at least 15-20 minutes a day-without solar protections in the non-critical moments of the day-it is a simple and free gesture that can strengthen the defenses, stimulate the production of catelicidine and contribute to the well -being of the entire body.
