Can 10 minutes of sunlight a day affect your heart? The answer to this question seems to be yes. Sunlight is your body’s major source of Vitamin D and more evidence is emerging that Vitamin D status has a direct effect on your heart health. People with low vitamin D status seem to be more likely to develop congestive heart failure and other problems such as Peripheral Vascular Disease. Although the reason for the link is uncertain, it seems to be related to the way that Vitamin D alters the inflammatory process to the arteries. Good Vitamin D status lowers your blood pressure by an average of 6 mmHg, as good as some medications.

Vitamin D has strongly been linked to the prevention of many types of cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancers to name a few. The reason is because Vitamin D is one of the most important controllers of cell division and ensures that cells that may potentially be cancerous develop properly.

So what can you do? Firstly just 10 minutes of an exposed arm or leg in sunlight between 10am and 3pm a day can be enough for you to produce your normal daily dose of Vitamin D. The best way is to speak to your doctor about getting a blood test to check your vitamin D status and they can help you work out the best options to get your vitamin D status normal.

Michael Dermansky - Senior Physiothepist at MD Health