Vitamin D Expert: The Fastest Way To Dementia & The Dangerous Lie You've Been Told About Sunlight!

Dr. Roger Seahol, a critical care physician, discusses the profound health benefits of sunlight, emphasizing its role in boosting immune function and improving outcomes in critical illnesses. He shares a compelling story of a young cancer patient whose condition improved dramatically after spending time outdoors, suggesting that natural light exposure can significantly impact recovery. Dr. Seahol outlines the "new start" health framework, which includes pillars like nutrition, exercise, and rest, and highlights the importance of integrating sunlight and trust in a higher power for overall well-being.

• Sunlight exposure has significant health benefits beyond vitamin D production, including enhancing immune function and potentially reducing infections.
• Infrared light from the sun can penetrate the skin and positively influence cellular functions, particularly in mitochondria, which are crucial for energy production and reducing oxidative stress.
• A case study highlighted a significant improvement in a patient with a severe infection after exposure to sunlight, suggesting its potential therapeutic benefits.

"After the second day, the infection is probably 60-70% gone. And it became clear to me that sunlight has so many important benefits."

• This quote underscores the observed rapid improvement in a patient's infection with sunlight exposure, highlighting its potential in medical recovery.

"Infrared light from the sun is able to penetrate up to about 8 mm and stimulate and upregulate melatonins which prevent a lot of diseases like dementia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes."

• This explains the mechanism by which sunlight influences health, particularly through the stimulation of melatonin production in mitochondria, which helps mitigate oxidative stress.

• Dr. Roger Seahol introduces the concept of "eight pillars of health," which are essential lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity and well-being.
• The pillars include nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, air, rest, and trust, forming the acronym "NEW START."

"If you can imagine your life is a chain with a bunch of links, each one of those links is an organ system."

• This metaphor illustrates how various lifestyle factors (pillars) contribute to the overall strength and health of the body's organ systems.

"All medications have side effects. And what the aim is to do in modern medicine is to utilize the knowledge of those medicines and their effect on the human body so that we leverage the other links to protect that weakest link."

• This quote highlights the importance of balancing medication use with lifestyle changes to support overall health and prevent further illness.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common underlying factor in many chronic diseases and aging-related conditions, and maintaining mitochondrial health is crucial for longevity.
• Oxidative stress in mitochondria can lead to various diseases, and sunlight exposure can help mitigate this stress by stimulating melatonin production within cells.

"When we were when I was in high school biology, when I was in college, we all learned about this little organelle in all of our cells called the mitochondria."

• This reference to mitochondria as the "powerhouse of the cell" emphasizes its critical role in energy production and cellular health.

"The mitochondria makes its own cooling system and that cooling system is melatonin."

• This explains how mitochondria manage oxidative stress through melatonin production, highlighting the importance of supporting this process for health.

• A 15-year-old boy with a severe lung infection showed remarkable recovery after being exposed to sunlight, suggesting potential benefits of light therapy in critical care settings.
• The case raises questions about the role of environmental factors, such as sunlight, in patient recovery and hospital design.

"The only thing that they did was they took him outside and they were using this Firefly before inside, but they were using it more consistently when he got outside."

• This indicates that the combination of sunlight and consistent light therapy may have contributed to the patient's unexpected recovery.

"Maybe hospitals should be outside."

• This provocative statement suggests reconsidering hospital design to incorporate more natural light exposure for patients, based on observed health benefits.

• Trust and faith are recognized as important components of health, with scientific evidence supporting the mental health benefits of having faith or belief in a higher power.
• The integration of faith and science can enhance stress management and emotional resilience.

"People who have faith and people who have faith in God are better apt and able to deal with stress and depression and anxiety."

• This highlights the psychological benefits of faith, which can complement scientific approaches to health and well-being.

"This is something scientifically that has been shown."

• This statement reinforces the legitimacy of faith as a factor in health, supported by scientific research.

• Modern healthcare faces challenges in integrating holistic approaches, such as increasing sunlight exposure for patients, due to logistical and staffing constraints.
• There is a call for revisiting traditional healthcare practices that incorporated more natural elements, such as sunlight, into patient care.

"The biggest barrier that we have is staff taking those patients outside."

• This identifies a practical challenge in implementing changes that could improve patient outcomes through increased natural light exposure.

"I would love to see a time where we could go back to that type of effect."

• This expresses a desire to return to healthcare practices that prioritize natural healing elements, such as sunlight, for better patient care.

• High levels of vitamin D in individuals were linked to better health outcomes, potentially due to increased sun exposure rather than vitamin D itself.
• Infrared radiation from the sun may reduce oxidative stress at the mitochondrial level, serving as the actual beneficial factor.
• Sunlight provides a broad spectrum of light, including both infrared and ultraviolet B, which is responsible for vitamin D production.
• Seasonal changes, such as winter, can affect the availability of ultraviolet B, leading to vitamin D deficiency, necessitating supplementation.

"People who had higher levels of vitamin D meant that they were out in the sun more."

• This suggests that sun exposure, rather than vitamin D itself, might be the key factor in improved health outcomes.

"Infrared radiation from the sun is causing an effect at the mitochondrial level in terms of oxidative stress."

• Infrared radiation could be beneficial by impacting mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress.

• Red light therapy, particularly at 670 nanometers, has been shown to improve mitochondrial efficiency and eyesight.
• Mitochondria, rich in the retina, are crucial for managing glucose and energy output.
• Red light therapy can stimulate fibroblasts in the skin to produce collagen, potentially reducing signs of aging.

"Red light can penetrate very deeply down...activating the mitochondria in your fibroblast to produce more energy."

• Red light therapy works by enhancing mitochondrial activity, promoting collagen production, and improving skin appearance.

"Glenn Jeffrey out of UCL...has shown in randomized control trials that that type of light right there at 670...does improve mitochondrial efficiency."

• Scientific studies support the efficacy of specific red light wavelengths in enhancing mitochondrial function.

• Red light therapy applied to a specific body area can have systemic effects, improving overall mitochondrial metabolism.
• Studies showed improved glucose metabolism and increased carbon dioxide production, indicating enhanced mitochondrial activity.
• The therapy does not need to be applied all over the body to achieve systemic benefits.

"He was able to get that effect systemically with just putting the light on the back."

• Localized application of red light can trigger systemic metabolic improvements due to mitochondrial communication.

"The people that got the red light had lower spikes...it seemed as though the mitochondria were metabolizing faster."

• Red light therapy can enhance metabolic activity, reducing glucose spikes and improving energy production.

• Infrared light exposure might benefit COVID-19 patients by improving oxygen saturation and reducing hospital stay duration.
• A study in Brazil using infrared-emitting jackets showed significant improvements in COVID-19 patients' health markers.
• Sunlight, which includes infrared light, could serve as a practical intervention for COVID-19 patients.

"The group that had the jacket turned on had improvement in their oxygen saturation."

• Infrared light therapy showed potential in improving respiratory function in COVID-19 patients.

"Every single endpoint that they looked at was statistically significant."

• The study's results indicate that infrared light exposure could have profound health benefits for COVID-19 patients.

• Sunlight exposure, rather than temperature or humidity, was linked to the timing of COVID-19 surges in Europe.
• Studies showed that more sunlight correlated with lower COVID-19 mortality, independent of vitamin D levels.
• This suggests a potential public health intervention through increased sunlight exposure.

"The more sunlight there was in particular areas, the lower the mortality from COVID-19."

• Increased sunlight exposure was associated with reduced mortality rates, suggesting a potential protective effect.

"It was latitude...as the sun is literally pulling down into the southern hemisphere, as the shadow starts to go over Europe."

• The timing of COVID-19 surges was closely linked to changes in sunlight exposure across different latitudes.

• Long-term sun exposure is associated with reduced mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• A Swedish study showed that women with higher sun exposure had lower mortality rates, comparable to non-smokers.
• Sun exposure might offer health benefits comparable to avoiding known risk factors like smoking.

"Women who had spent the most amount of time outside...had the least amount of mortality from cancer, from cardiovascular disease."

• Regular sun exposure may significantly reduce mortality risk from major diseases.

"Being in that category of not spending much time outside in the sun was the same risk factor for death as smoking."

• Lack of sun exposure is a significant health risk, comparable to smoking in terms of mortality impact.

• Living in green spaces correlates with better health outcomes, including reduced diabetes and hypertension.
• Trees and vegetation reflect infrared light, contributing to the health benefits of green environments.
• The Green Heart Study showed that planting trees in urban areas reduced inflammation markers in residents.

"People who live in green spaces do much better in terms of diabetes, do much better in terms of hypertension, mortality."

• Access to green spaces improves various health metrics, likely due to increased exposure to beneficial environmental factors.

"They purchased 8,000 mature trees...repeat the HSCP dropped by 13 to 20%."

• Introducing green spaces in urban areas can significantly reduce inflammation and associated health risks.

• Aim for at least 15 minutes of sun exposure daily to enhance mitochondrial function and overall health.
• Even on cloudy days, outdoor exposure provides more infrared light than staying indoors.
• Consider red light therapy devices as an alternative when natural sunlight is insufficient.

"15 minutes in the sun every day turns on a switch in my body that improves my mitochondrial function."

• Short, regular sun exposure can activate beneficial biological processes, improving health.

"Even on a cloudy day, being outside, you're going to get more infrared light than if you were inside."

• Outdoor exposure is beneficial even in less optimal weather conditions, providing essential light for health benefits.

• Modern light bulbs, particularly LEDs, emit light in a narrow spectrum, primarily blue light, unlike historical light sources that provided a full spectrum of light.
• The shift toward LED lighting has implications for vision and health, as it may affect color differentiation and visual perception.
• Exposure to blue light without the balancing effects of red light can have various impacts on health and vision.

"Think about what they've done. They have, for the first time in the history of humanity, we are now being exposed to light in a very narrow spectrum without anything else."

• This quote highlights the unprecedented nature of modern lighting, which isolates specific light spectrums, impacting human exposure and potentially health.

• Research by Glenn Jeffrey indicates that swapping LED bulbs for incandescent ones can improve color differentiation by 25%.
• The retina, rich in mitochondria, requires significant energy, and as people age, energy production diminishes, affecting vision.
• Short exposure to specific light wavelengths can enhance visual acuity and color differentiation.

"He switched out these LED bulbs and put in incandescent bulbs. And there was a 25% improvement in color differentiation in his study."

• This demonstrates the potential benefits of incandescent lighting on visual perception, particularly in environments dominated by LED lighting.

• Death rates from various diseases peak after the shortest day of the year, suggesting a correlation between sunlight exposure and health outcomes.
• The pattern of increased mortality in winter months is observed in both hemispheres, indicating a link to sunlight rather than social factors like holiday gatherings.

"The maximum amount of deaths every year occurs within a month after the shortest day of the year."

• This quote underscores the significant impact of seasonal light exposure on mortality rates, emphasizing the health implications of reduced sunlight.

• The best times for sunlight exposure are during morning and evening when UV radiation is lower, minimizing skin damage.
• Sunlight exposure through the eyes is crucial for circadian rhythm regulation, influencing sleep and mood.

"Optimal time of day to get sunlight would be for those that are concerned about getting damage from ultraviolet radiation."

• This advice helps balance the benefits of sunlight exposure with the risks of UV damage, suggesting a practical approach to sunlight exposure.

• Circadian rhythms are heavily influenced by light exposure, particularly through the eyes.
• SAD lamps can help regulate circadian rhythms and reduce depression, especially in high-latitude regions with limited sunlight.

"SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder. These lights, especially in the morning, have a way of not only setting your circadian rhythm and making sure it's on track, but also reducing depression."

• This highlights the importance of light exposure in maintaining mental health and circadian rhythm, particularly in areas with limited natural light.

• Exposure to artificial light at night disrupts melatonin production and circadian rhythms, affecting sleep quality and overall health.
• Reducing light exposure in the evening, such as using blue light filters or complete darkness, can support better sleep and health.

"What we really should be having is bright days and dark nights."

• This emphasizes the need for a natural light-dark cycle to maintain healthy circadian rhythms and overall well-being.

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function and bone health, with deficiencies linked to various health issues.
• Supplementation can be beneficial, but levels should be monitored to avoid toxicity, particularly in individuals with limited sun exposure.

"People who supplemented with 2,000 international units daily of vitamin D had a lower risk of all-cause autoimmune conditions."

• This illustrates the potential health benefits of vitamin D supplementation, particularly in preventing autoimmune diseases.

• The immune system comprises the innate and adaptive systems, with interferon playing a key role in innate immunity.
• Fever, a natural immune response, enhances interferon production and should not be suppressed unless dangerously high.
• External use of water, such as saunas or hot towels, can simulate fever and boost immune response through increased interferon production.

"Interferon production goes up with temperature. And in fact, the body's fever mechanism is one of the ways that it tells the body that it needs to increase interferon to deal with the viral infection."

• This explains the immune-boosting effects of fever and how external heat applications can mimic this response to enhance immunity.

• High levels of interferon are correlated with milder SARS-CoV-2 infections.
• Low interferon levels are associated with severe COVID-19 infections.

"There was a study that was done that showed that high levels of interferon correlated with more mild SARS-CoV-2 infections and that people that had low interferon levels had very severe COVID-19 infections."

• This quote highlights the critical role of interferon in determining the severity of COVID-19 infections.

• Frequent sauna use is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease mortality.
• Sauna use in Finland is common and beneficial for heart health.

"People who use sauna four, five, six, seven times a week are more likely to have less death from cardiovascular disease than people who use sauna once a week."

• This quote suggests that regular sauna use may contribute to better heart health and lower mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases.

• Hot therapy increases body temperature, while cold therapy causes vasoconstriction.
• Cold therapy helps maintain core body temperature and promotes demargination of white blood cells.

"The first thing that it does is it causes vasoconstriction. So you put a brief amount of cold onto the body, it's going to cause vasoconstriction superficially."

• This quote explains how cold therapy aids in maintaining body temperature and releasing white blood cells into circulation.

• Good air quality involves proper oxygen levels and removal of carbon dioxide.
• Phytoncides from plants and trees have beneficial effects on the immune system and relaxation.

"They interact with our immune system and elevate our immune system and it actually can make us more relaxed."

• The quote underscores the health benefits of natural compounds released by plants and their positive impact on human health.

• High CO2 levels in enclosed spaces can impair cognitive performance.
• Simple ventilation methods, like opening windows, can reduce CO2 levels.

"Just by cracking the window just a little bit allowed carbon dioxide to escape and brought down those carbon dioxide levels."

• This quote illustrates the importance of ventilation in maintaining optimal air quality and cognitive function.

• Religious faith can reduce anxiety and depression.
• Trust in a benevolent higher power is associated with better mental health outcomes.

"People who have a good faith and trust in a god... have less anxiety, less depression."

• The quote highlights the mental health benefits associated with having faith and trust in a supportive deity.

• Unconditional forgiveness is linked to lower depression and anxiety levels.
• Belief in divine forgiveness increases the likelihood of unconditional forgiveness.

"If somebody believed that the God that they had faith in had forgiven them, they were two and a half times more likely to forgive somebody unconditionally."

• This quote emphasizes the mental health benefits of practicing unconditional forgiveness and its connection to religious beliefs.

• Patients often choose dignity over life-extending interventions.
• Personal beliefs and readiness influence end-of-life decisions.

"People feel like they've done what they've come to do and they don't want anything further to do."

• The quote reflects the personal and varied nature of end-of-life choices and the importance of respecting those decisions.

• Unexpected recoveries challenge medical prognostications.
• Humility is essential in medical practice due to the limits of current knowledge.

"What it taught me was is that we have to be humble about what it is that we know."

• This quote captures the need for humility and openness to possibilities beyond current medical understanding.

• Melatonin supplements can aid in sleep and circadian rhythm adjustment.
• High doses of melatonin may cause irritability and mood changes.

"Taking high doses of melatonin can actually make you more irritable."

• The quote advises caution in melatonin use, highlighting potential side effects of excessive consumption.

• Biblical descriptions may align with scientific concepts.
• Ancient texts sometimes contain knowledge that aligns with modern scientific understanding.

"If you look in the human body, you have the blood system... this is exactly the same structure that Moses was given in the wilderness."

• This quote suggests a fascinating connection between ancient religious texts and contemporary scientific knowledge.