Lack Of Sunlight Can Increase Death Risk, This Is Doctor IPB's Explanation

Illustration of lazy in the room. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Sunlight is not only important to keep a good mood, but also has a big role in the health condition of the body and can affect a person's life expectancy.

Dr. Christy Efiyanti, SpPD, FINASIM, a lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine, IPB University, explained that people who often receive active sunlight generally have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or death due to other diseases unrelated to cancer or CVD.

According to him, a number of studies show that lack of sunlight can significantly increase the risk of death.

"Research in the past decade shows that a lack of sunlight may be responsible for 340,000 deaths in the United States and 480 thousand deaths in Europe each year," he said, quoted from the IPB University website.

Lack of sunlight is also associated with increased risks of various serious diseases, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, to autism.

Dr Christy explained that sunlight plays an important role in the process of forming vitamin D in the body. This vitamin functions to maintain immunity, strengthen bones, and support metabolism.

"The exposure to sunlight is quite capable of improving the status of a person's vitamin D. On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency often occurs in individuals who rarely move outside the room," he explained.

Regarding the ideal time to get sunlight, Dr Christy said it was influenced by various factors such as time, season, geographical location, weather conditions, to skin tone.

He explained that melanin, a natural pigment in the skin, functions as a protector while at the same time influencing the body's ability to absorb ultraviolet B rays.

According to him, people with bright skin usually sunbathe enough for 5'15 minutes as much as 2'3 times per week.

One study in the UK recommended a duration of 9'13 minutes of sunlight around lunch time from March to September.

Meanwhile, research from Prof Siti Setiati in Indonesia found that exposure to ultraviolet B rays for 25 minutes, three times a week for six weeks, was sufficient to significantly increase vitamin D levels.

At the end of his explanation, Dr Christy gave an appeal to the public not to avoid sunlight.

"Do more outdoor activities and get used to sunbathing every day. Don't forget to check yourself to find out the status of vitamin D on the body." he ordered.