Attention: Muscles aren’t made exclusively at the gym and getting some sunshine on your body may do much more than just give you a little glow. Sunlight is strong and it may be the secret to big muscle! (And also to better balance!) Studies show that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D tend to have stronger upper and lower body muscles. For us in South Florida, we can benefit from the rays of the sun just about 365 days a year. It only takes about 10 minutes of exposure daily to keep levels of this powerhouse vitamin working for you. While vitamin D2 is found in most every kind of mushroom, D3 is found in only animal products. None of these sources, however, come close to the power of the sun. If you live in a part of the country that makes it hard to get your D during the winter you may want to consider a supplement, which I would say is a safer route than trying to eat all the animal products that come with their fair share of health risks. Popping 600 IU of vitamin D daily, should work to keep your levels up–until the sun heads back your way. Remember to expose your arms and legs to that sunshine to get the full benefits. And no…no sunscreen. Just remember it only takes minutes to reap the benefits. More than that and of course it’s time to screen up and protect against TOO much sun. Ahhhh the never ending balancing act.
FOR STRONGER MUSCLES, LET THE SUN SHINE!