Sun Worshipers or Sun Dodgers? Decoding Our Genetic Blueprint
Picture this: You're a Homo Erectus, or perhaps Adam and Eve, wandering under the vast canopy of the sky, the sun your guide to finding the next meal. For 3 million years, our ancestors thrived under the sun, their days spent hunting, gathering, and moving through landscapes rich with vitamin D, not vitamin D supplements. Fast forward to today, and we're advised to avoid this celestial body like it's the villain in our health narrative. But let's pause and ask, did evolution screw up, or have we misunderstood the sun's role in our biology?
The Evolutionary Perspective
From an evolutionary standpoint, it's hard to believe that our species, which evolved in Africa under intense UV radiation, would lack a robust defense mechanism against the sun. Our skin produces melanin, a natural sunscreen, and this pigmentation varies across populations based on proximity to the equator - more melanin where UV radiation is strongest. This isn't just nature's way of providing a tan; it's a survival mechanism. Melanin absorbs harmful UV rays, preventing damage to our DNA
But here's the kicker: our skin doesn't just protect; it interacts with UV light to synthesize vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function, and even mood regulation. This vitamin is so essential that our bodies evolved to make it from sunlight exposure. So, why would evolution design us to avoid the very environment we needed to thrive in?
The idea that we should avoid sun exposure is relatively new, born from the recognition of skin cancer risks. However, this modern dilemma stems not from sun exposure per se but from excessive, unprotected exposure after millennia of gradual, daily sunlight interaction. Our ancestors had routine exposure, allowing their skin to adapt and not burn. Additionally, vegetable oils, which, when introduced into a new population, cause all of the now familiar chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer to flourish where they were once rare. You can read my post on it here.
The Creationist Angle
If you lean towards a creationist viewpoint, consider this: Adam and Eve lived in a world where all provisions were laid out under the sun in the Garden of Eden. Would a benevolent creator design a world where the essential act of gathering food would also harm those He created? It seems counterintuitive that the same sun that nourishes plant life, providing food for humans, would be inherently detrimental to human skin.
Perhaps, instead, the design was for humans to thrive in harmony with nature, including the sun. The biblical narrative doesn't describe Adam and Eve slathering on SPF; they lived in a state of balance with their environment. Could it be that the sun, in moderation, was meant to be a part of that balance?
The Modern Disconnect
Today, we're indoors more than ever, our skin shielded from UV by buildings, cars, and clothes. This disconnection from the sun has led to vitamin D deficiencies, mood disorders, and a host of other health issues. The advice to avoid the sun might be well-intentioned, aiming to protect against skin cancer, but it overlooks the benefits of moderate, non-burning sun exposure.
There's a sweet spot - enough sun to reap health benefits without the risk of cancer. This isn't about becoming a sunbather, but about understanding that our bodies are built to handle sunlight, with mechanisms like tanning being part of our natural defense and adaptation.
Conclusion
Whether through the lens of evolution or creation, the sun was, and arguably still is, our ally. Our bodies are not flawed in their design; we've altered our environment faster than our biology can adapt. The key is balance - embracing the sun in a way that honors our past, whether that's our evolutionary journey or our biblical origins. So next time you're outside, consider not just avoiding the sun but enjoying it in the way nature intended - as a source of life, not just light.
Let's reframe our relationship with the sun, not as an ancient mistake or divine oversight but as a fundamental aspect of our health and well-being, designed for our survival and joy.
Resources:
Sun Exposure, Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms, and Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17558412/
Melanin: The Journey of Mankind URL: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836431/
The Historical Aspects of Vitamin D URL: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021390/
Skin Cancer, Ultraviolet Radiation, and the Role of Sunlight in Promoting Vitamin D Synthesis URL: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/
The Evolution of Skin Pigmentation and the Selective Forces Responsible URL: www.nature.com/articles/nrg2226
Human Skin Pigmentation as an Adaptation to UV Radiation URL: www.pnas.org/content/104/26/11042
Sunlight and Vitamin D for Bone Health and Prevention of Autoimmune Diseases, Cancers, and Cardiovascular Disease URL: ajcn.nutrition.org/content/80/6/1678S.long