REPOST: "LET THE SUN SHINE... FOR MENTAL HEALTH!"

I've been wondering how vitamin D, best obtained from the sun, and mental health are related. There's some interesting research out there that shows that vitamin D does, indeed, play a role in mental health. It's something that I have felt intuitively all of my life. Being outdoors on warm, sun-drenched days, with little or no clothing on, has always made me feel indescribably open, expansive and vibrant physically, and in a good mood emotionally, with optimistic, grounded, positive feelings and thoughts. In contrast, during the short, grayer days of the winter, I am, as many S.A.D. people are, more inclined to grumpiness and fatigued.

Here's an excerpt from the Vitamin D Council's website:

"Epidemiological evidence shows an association between reduced sun exposure and mental illness.
Mental illness is associated with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels.
Mental illness shows a significant comorbidity with illnesses thought to be associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Theoretical models (in vitro or animal evidence) exist to explain how vitamin D deficiency may play a causative role in mental illness.
Studies indicate vitamin D improves mental illness.
Mental illness has increased as humans have migrated out of the sun.
Depression has significant co-morbidity with illnesses associated with hypovitaminosis D such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin D has a significant biochemistry in the brain. Nuclear receptors for vitamin D exist in the brain and vitamin D is involved in the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, synthesis of nitric oxide synthase, and increased glutathione levels - all suggesting an important role for vitamin D in brain function."

SO, GET OUT THERE, FOLKS! FLY A KITE OR SOMETHING AND SOAK UP THAT SUN!YEAH!!