Sunlight and Health: Vitamin D Production and Skin Cancer

This episode is brought to you by Lumebox and AquaTru.

Numerous experts have explored the myriad factors associated with chronic disease. However, our guest today sheds light on an often overlooked factor: junk light. Our modern lifestyles frequently experience diminished exposure to natural sunlight and constant exposure to blue light emitted by phones, devices, and indoor workspaces. Dr. Alexis Cowan emphasizes the importance of minimizing our exposure to junk light and maximizing sunlight for our health.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Alexis Cowan to discuss the impact of junk light on our well-being and longevity. Dr. Cowan explains how exposure to junk light can alter our circadian rhythm and hormone levels, disrupting our sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Additionally, she underscores the significance of sunlight exposure for weight management, mood regulation, and daily motivation. Dr. Cowan offers practical tips to minimize blue light exposure and incorporate red light therapy for those unable to attain optimal sun exposure in their daily routines.

Dr. Alexis Cowan is a Princeton-trained PhD in molecular biology who operates at the interface of physiology and metabolism. She specializes in circadian biology, microbiome-host interactions, and the metabolic effects of nutritional and exercise modalities. Dr. Alexis teaches coursework on topics in health, translational science, and scientific literacy. She also sees highly motivated clients in a one-on-one capacity. 

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Cowan dive into (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

• Junk light as a contributor to chronic disease (00:00:05 / 00:00:05)
• The implications of having too much junk light (8:00 / 6:37)
• What does the absence of sunlight and too much junk light cause (12:00 /10:05)
• How much sun should you get a day and build up your tolerance (16:00 / 14:20)
• Skin cancer risks (21:50 / 20:05)
• What damages skin and causes aging (25:00 / 23:19)
• The correlation between melanoma and skin cancer (31:30 / 28:50)
• Metabolism, weight loss, and sunlight exposure (38:40 / 33:30)
• Simple hacks to reduce your blue light exposure (39:20 / 36:05)
• Red light therapy (44:20 / 41:03)
• Dr. Cowan’s journey (47:00 / 43:54)
• Akkermansia for gut health and immunity (51:40 / 48:30)
• Sunlight and motivation and goals (1:00:00 / 53:52)
• Final thoughts (1:01:30 / 58:00)

Also mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Cowan’s Podcast, Undoctrinate Yourself 
• Study on LASIK surgery 
• Melanoma Exposure Study
• Study about high occupational sun exposure seemed to be inversely associated with melanoma
• Sun exposure is associated with increased survival from melanoma
• Study about low UV exposure and Vitamin D levels related to increased mortality due to skin cancer
• Study about the positive association between melanoma risk and intermittent sun exposure in contrast to reduced risk with high levels of occupational exposure 

For more on Dr. Alexis Cowan, follow her on Instagram and via her site.

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