Sunlight, it’s reach into Human Biology

Published by CDigsBrainstyle on March 5, 2024March 5, 2024

Sunlight

Sunlight is most commonly known for its vitamin D benefit and the popularly scrutinized tan. In actuality it provides us with many health benefits. Contrary to what centralized medicine or any governmental agency tells us, “who funds some of this research anyway?”, there just might be a good clue when you follow the money.

I’m going to hit on most of the biological process the sun provides to us here; however each point could get its own deeper dive. I’m also still learning so there’s probably much more to uncover.

The sun provides us with full spectrum natural light. We absorb the suns rays through non-visual photoreceptor chromophores (opsins) that are found throughout the body; think of them like little solar panels throughout our eyes, skin, fat, and hair. We produce Melanin from it, which ultimately acts as our natural sun screen and much more. It increases production of a powerful cell regeneration chemical Nitric Oxide (NO). It stimulates serotonin and is a major contributor to dopamine production and melatonin production which ia a powerful antioxidant. (1)

*Non-visual photoreceptor chromophores (opsins) effective wavelength absorption:*

Forms of light

As we step outside on a clear sunny summer day or even a cold cloudy winter day we experience many forms of light from the sun. These light forms serve a specific purpose for our body. I’ll list some important forms below with there relative wave length and approximate occurrence with the time of day. I’ll also explain the effects of latitude, seasons, and clear or cloudy days.

*The sun emits a broad spectrum of electromagnetic waves, although the human eye is only able to see a portion of them. Source: Eyes of Howick*

Sunlight Forms: (below I discuss the most studied forms however the full spectrum visible light includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) as well as non visible light

UV-A
UV-B
NIR
Red spectrum

*Sun light Spectrum:, and skin penetration:*

All UV is beneficial (assuming you don’t take it too far, with little to no solar callus aka a Tan) UV-A, UV-B, UV-C – all have specific effects on quantum biology.

UV-A stimulates nitric oxide production (most prominent between, 11AM-3PM)

UV-B stimulates melanin and vitamin D production (most prominent between, 11AM-3PM).

UV-C is talked about stimulating light stronger than the sun manufactured within the human body (biophotons).

NIR near infrared radiation, which occupies a major portion of the wavelengths of sunlight, promotes melatonin production.

Red spectrum (most prominent between, sunrise 8/9AM & between 2 hours before sunset)

This wavelength is the most studied and has many therapeutic effects. The red light wavelength in isolation is otherwise know as Photobiomodulation. The mitochondria in our cells are able to soak up the beneficial light particles (in this case the red wavelength) through our non-visual photoreceptors and create more Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy. We use cytochrome c oxidase which allows the mitochondria to use oxygen more efficiently making more ATP. ATP is the energy currency in our body. ATP synthesized in mitochondria is the primary energy source for important biological functions, such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and protein synthesis. (1a)

*Brain Photobiomodulation Specific Therapy:*

Other whole body benefits include wound healing, tissue repair, hair growth, a reduction of inflammation and pain, improvements to skin conditions and alignment to the circadian rhythm which sets the stage for better sleep quality.

Wavelengths

250-270 nm light is UV-C light. Anything below this level is considered V-UV light.

280-315 nm light is UV-B

315-400 nm light is UV-A

620-750 nm light is of the Red wavelength

The absorption for a classic “Tan” depends on the amount of UV-B photons that penetrate the skin, a process that can be blocked by clothing, excess body fat, sunscreen, and the skin pigment melanin. Now I know there’s a limiting belief around excess sun, UV radiation, and skin cancer; I address that in the conclusion section at the end.

Seasonality

Summer sun vs Winter sun.

The Sun appears higher in the sky during the northern hemisphere summer (June 21st peak highest), moving lower as we move into winter (December 21 peak lowest).

*Earth’s tilt and rotations effect on light:*

UV rays are the most prominent in summer, as the sun is high in the sky and its rays pass through less atmosphere before reaching the earth’s surface (our skin). In winter the sun is lower in the sky and its rays have a longer course through the atmosphere; more UV radiation is absorbed and UV levels are lower.

Cloudy vs Cloudless days?

Most will think going outside and sunbathing when its cloudy has no affect. Think again.

An incredible amount of natural light from the sun still gets through cloud cover. Just look how light it is out and how much you can see vs darkness.

Red, NIR, UV-A, UV-B – are reduced quite a bit, but they are still very much present.

The intensity of light outside is thousands of times stronger than any indoor light source.

Too Cold out? I agree, I don’t fare too well in the cold.

At the very least, you could open some windows to allow natural light to scatter inside your home. Even with a screen, you’re getting the full benefits of sunlight because photons can act like both a particle and wave. They’re able to get through these holes and saturate the room inside due to their quantum behavior.

Latitude

The Sun’s rays become scattered and diffuse as they travel through the Earth’s atmosphere, this effect increases with latitude.

At latitudes near the equator (0*) the Earth’s surface is almost directly perpendicular to the angle of the Sun’s rays. In these regions the sun’s energy is concentrated over a small surface area.

At mid latitudes (23* – 66*) the Sun’s rays hit the Earth at a slant. This means that the incoming sun rays are spread over a larger surface area, and are less intense than at equatorial latitudes.

At polar latitudes (66* – 90*) the Sun’s rays hit the Earth at even more of a slant. So, at polar latitudes, the incoming rays are spread over an even larger surface area, and are even less intense than at mid latitudes.

The power of sunight into our human biology

Nitric oxide, no not laughing gas!

Nitric oxide’s production on the skin surface is called “dermal nitric oxide” and results from the nitrite within our skin cells.

Nitric oxide supports cell regeneration and intracellular communication.

When the Sun hits our skin (UV-A) and nitric oxide is produced, tissue regeneration occurs. “Nitric oxide (NO), is the endogenous regulator of inflammation and an antibacterial agent with no demonstrated resistance and has become an attractive candidate for wound healing therapy.” (2)

A production boost of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

You’ll also get a boost of energy from sunlight exposure in the form of feel-good serotonin. Nitric oxide helps with serotonin production and relaxes the smooth muscles around your arteries.

When the sun’s ultraviolet light is absorbed through your skin, your body produces Vitamin D. Vitamin D in turn promotes the production of serotonin. Serotonin in turn produces feelings of happiness and well-being!

In a 2013 study. “Human skin has an inherent serotonergic system that appears capable of generating serotonin.” The team suggests that sunshine may stimulate serotonin production through the skin, which may explain the appeal of sunbathing. (3)

The power of Melatonin, no it’s not just for sleep.

Evidence also shows that near infrared radiation (NIR), which occupies a major portion of the wavelengths of sunlight, promotes melatonin production and the beneficial effects of sun baths or photobiomodulation therapy may be, at least, partially mediated by the increased local melatonin production induced by NIR.
(4)

Throughout the history of melatonin research, almost exclusively, the focus has been on nocturnally-generated pineal melatonin production; which accounts for circadian rhythm in the blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. We use mice primarily in most studies, and mice are a nocturnal animal species last time I checked. They are sensitive to bright lights. A big issue here is as humans we use light, natural or artificial in our nonvisual photoreceptive systems to regulate hormone secretion, entrainment of circadian rhythms and cognitive processes. This is a major factor when you take into account the difference between human and mice biology in regards to the light environment. Pineal melatonin is produced and secreted primarily at night, it is referred to as the chemical expression of darkness. The importance of the other sources of melatonin has almost been ignored. Based on current evidence there are at least four sources of melatonin in vertebrates that contribute to the whole-body melatonin pool. These include: melatonin produced by (1) the pineal gland; (2) extra-pineal cells, tissues, and organs; (3) the microbiota of the skin, mouth, nose, digestive tract, and vagina as well as (4) melatonin present in the diet. These multiple sources of melatonin exhibit differentially regulated mechanisms for synthesis. Ie. Visible light striking the retina or an intense physical stimulus can suppress nocturnal pineal melatonin levels after sunset.

*Typical pineal melatonin release schedule:*

Melatonin protects against various oxidative injuries including brain injury caused by ROS (Reactive oxygen species) release in experimental hypoxic brain damage. As an antioxidant, melatonin may also help in brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease, heart diseases like arrhythmias etc. (5)

Vitamin D; Synthetic vs Photosynthesis.

Unlike other essential vitamins, which must be obtained from food, vitamin D can be synthesized in the skin through a photosynthetic reaction triggered by exposure to UVB light.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin; it is required to absorb calcium and phosphate from the gut into the bloodstream. Vitamin D is mostly produced in the skin in response to sunlight and a small amount of a healthy balanced diet. The liver and kidneys convert vitamin D (produced in the skin and taken up in the diet), into the active hormone, which is called calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). (6)

A synthetic Vitamin D supplement is distributed by non-specific transport proteins (lipoproteins). This doesn’t bind Vitamin D specifically and cannot transport it to target receptors in the same way as the specific binding protein via a photosynthetic reaction form of vitamin D creation, through the use of a D-Binding Protein.

Lipoprotein transport route is like unaddressed mail, it doesn’t get where it needs to be.

D-Binding transport route is like registered mail, it gets exactly where it needs to be.

Melanin, A natural sunscreen and a whole lot more.

In humans, melanin exists as three forms: eumelanin, pheomelanin, and neuromelanin.

Melanin absorbs and disperses UV radiation from the sun.

When your skin is exposed to UV rays, melanocytes (specialized cells in the skin) produce melanin and distribute it to nearby skin cells.

Eumelanin:

This form is the darker pigment and is responsible for producing black, brown, and dark shades of hair, skin, and eyes.

It’s one of the most abundant forms mainly responsible for UV protection. Easily recognizable as a tan.

Pheomelanin:

This form is responsible for producing lighter shades of color (red and yellow hues) in the skin, hair, and eyes. It doesn’t provide as much UV protection, but plays other crucial roles

Neuromelanin:

This form is the most fascinating to me as it’s found in our brain only and in my option the most understudied substance in our body for brain health.

Neuromelanin (NM) is a dark pigment found in the brain which is structurally related to melanin. Neuromelanin is found in large quantities in catecholaminergic cells of the substantia nigra pars compacta and locus coeruleus, giving a dark color to the structures. (7)

It has understood roles in:

dopamine regulation
detoxification
protecting neurons

(NM) is particularly abundant in dopaminergic neurons which are responsible for producing and releasing dopamine.

It’s thought to play a role in the storage and regulation of dopamine within these neurons.

In normal conditions, NM production appears to play a protective role within the cell by preventing the accumulation of toxic compounds produced via the catecholamine auto-oxidation pathway preventing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. NM presents also a chemoprotective role by interacting with a variety of potentially damaging molecules such as pesticides and neuroleptics, as well as potentially toxic cations such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, cobalt, mercury, lead, and cadmium, acting like a “black hole” capable of chelating redox-active metals, especially iron. It was shown to avoid participation in ROS production and thus protecting cells from oxidative stress.

*Neuromelanin is found in the cells of the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus:*

Melanins exhibit a unique set of physicochemical properties such as:

electrical conductivity
optical absorption
affinity to a variety of organic and inorganic compounds

Studies in fungi have shown that melanin can harvest energy from electromagnetic radiation for metabolic use in a process that involves melanin’s electrical properties (referred to as radiosynthesis). (8)

Major implications when you think about grounding, sunlight, free electrons, mitochondria and nnEMF.

Conclusion:

The Suns rays are so important for our life here on Earth. Heck we’ve evolved with it and so has every living being on earth. It’s really hard to believe that millions of years of evolution were a mistake? Most species on this planet have an abundance of melanin. Do you think Mother Nature made a mistake in regard to that tan? I don’t think so.

Sadly we’ve been sold this lie that the sun is responsible for “Cancers” without first considering the effects of GMO’s, endocrine disruptors, sunscreen, blocking the melanopsin, rhodopsin, and photopsin receptors in our eyes from contact lenses and sun glasses. Not to mention Blue light toxicity, from the last century of the “indoor generation” were becoming, and living life under artificial light. Plus the overall effects from our circadian health disruption and the last few decades of added Vegetable oil consumption to our diets. Just think on that logic for a moment…

Please know you have to sun bathe responsibly by blocking your skin with clothes when you feel it burning, plus building a tan to protect yourself first before prolonged exposure. If you go directly out in the sun with no “solar callus” which is basically a tan you’ll burn from prolonged exposure. I hope you wouldn’t lift weights until your hands bleed from no callas; you’d probably grab some gloves or stop when you felt tears against your skin. But as you may have experienced you’ll no longer need gloves after a while as you develop calluses. The same is true with your skin; ease into it as you would with the calluses on your hands.

I’m into brain health so I’ll leave you with this information to ponder. A fascinating connection between Neuromelanin and neurodegenerative diseases can be established as you look through the literature. You can also add that our society has an ever low Vitamin D level on the average. Some neurodegenerative diseases you could build cases for, from a lack of Neuromelanin, which is created from the “Sun” are,

Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Multiple Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Epilepsy
Stroke
Peripheral Neuropathy
Guillain-Barré Syndrome

This is a valid area to explore, but the problem is it’s not even on most medical professionals radar!

The substantia nigra (SN) is a part of the brain where neuromelanin is found in large quantities. This is a major area that helps control your movements. It’s part of the basal ganglia, a group of structures that form connections and circuits throughout your brain. The substantia nigra is important because of its role in your movements and how it influences your brain’s chemistry.

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and hypothalamus of the brain. Dysfunction of the dopamine system has been implicated in different nervous system diseases. (9)

As the neurons in the substantia nigra begin to decrease the amount of (DA) that is released, the individual will lose control of fine motor skills. This decrease in motor function control contributes to the shaking found in patients with Parkinson disease. (10)

The pathway for motor functions is different. In this pathway, the substantia nigra cell bodies are responsible for the production and discharge of (DA) into the striatum. (DA) plays multiple functions in the brain. The role of (DA) in the modulation of behavior and cognition; voluntary movement; motivation; punishment and reward; inhibition of prolactin production; sleep; dreaming; mood; attention; working memory; and learning.

I hope you get some responsible sun!

Keep the faith,

References:

(1) Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/

(1a) Physiology, Adenosine Triphosphate

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553175/

(2) Nitric oxide increases dopamine and serotonin release

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8280866/

(3) Boosting Your Serotonin Activity

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201111/boosting-your-serotonin-activity

(4) MT1 and MT2 Melatonin Receptors: A Therapeutic Perspective