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

Dr. Roger Schwelt, a critical care physician, discusses the profound health benefits of sunlight, emphasizing its role in enhancing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress, which can prevent various diseases. He highlights the importance of eight health pillars: nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, air, rest, and trust, encapsulated in the acronym "NEW START." Schwelt shares compelling stories, including a miraculous recovery attributed to sunlight exposure, and explores the intersection of faith and health. He advocates for integrating natural elements into healthcare to improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.

• Sunlight exposure has profound healing effects, as evidenced by a case where a critically ill boy with a severe lung infection showed significant recovery after being taken outside.
• Sunlight's benefits extend beyond vitamin D production; it also involves infrared light, which penetrates deeply and influences cellular functions like melatonin production.

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

• Sunlight exposure led to a dramatic improvement in the boy's condition, highlighting the potential therapeutic effects of natural light.

"A very big misconception that people have is that sunlight equals vitamin D. And therefore, if you take a vitamin D supplement, you don't need to go in the sun. This is really something that's now being debunked."

• Sunlight's benefits are broader than just vitamin D synthesis, involving other mechanisms like infrared light affecting cellular health.

• Dr. Roger Schwelt outlines eight pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, air, rest, and trust.
• These pillars are interconnected and aim to strengthen the body's systems to prevent disease and promote longevity.

"So if we look at those things that extend life and are beneficial, we could put them into what I call eight pillars of health."

• The eight pillars provide a comprehensive framework for maintaining health and preventing disease.

"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."

• Medications should be used strategically to support the body's weakest systems while minimizing side effects.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common factor in many chronic diseases, contributing to conditions like diabetes and dementia.
• Oxidative stress damages mitochondria, but sunlight can stimulate melatonin production, which acts as an antioxidant to protect mitochondria.

"All of those things have one thing in common and many other things, too, but specifically they're rooted in something called mitochondrial dysfunction."

• Mitochondrial health is crucial for preventing and managing chronic diseases, and sunlight plays a role in maintaining mitochondrial function.

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

• Melatonin produced within mitochondria helps mitigate oxidative stress, highlighting the importance of internal cellular processes.

• Dr. Schwelt discusses the "New Start" program, which incorporates the eight pillars of health into a cohesive lifestyle approach.
• The program emphasizes proactive health measures to strengthen the body's systems and prevent disease.

"If you go through them, you've got nutrition, you've got exercise, you've got water, you've got sunlight, you've got temperance, you have air, you have rest, and finally you have trust. You put that together and it spells out new start."

• The New Start program offers a structured approach to health, focusing on comprehensive lifestyle changes.

• Trust and faith are essential components of health, with studies showing that individuals with strong faith are better equipped to handle stress and depression.
• The integration of faith into health practices can enhance overall well-being.

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

• Faith provides psychological and emotional support, contributing to improved mental health and resilience.

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of underlying health conditions, such as obesity and chronic diseases, in determining patient outcomes.
• Mitochondrial health and oxidative stress play significant roles in the body's response to infections like COVID-19.

"What we saw in the intensive care unit, the people that were dying around me were people with obesity, people with heart disease, people with kidney disease, people with dementia, people with chronic diseases."

• The pandemic underscored the need to address chronic health issues and improve mitochondrial function to enhance resilience against infections.

• While vitamin D levels correlate with better COVID-19 outcomes, supplementation alone may not be sufficient; sunlight exposure offers additional benefits.
• The complexity of sunlight's effects on health extends beyond vitamin D supplementation.

"People who came into the hospital and had higher levels of vitamin D did really well. They didn't die. They they didn't have the same chances of dying."

• Vitamin D levels are an important factor in health, but sunlight exposure provides broader benefits that supplements alone may not replicate.

• High levels of Vitamin D correlate with better health outcomes, but this might be a marker for sunlight exposure rather than a direct effect of Vitamin D.
• Infrared radiation from the sun impacts mitochondrial function, which may be the primary health benefit of sun exposure.
• The sunlight spectrum includes a range of wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, with each having different biological impacts.

"People with high levels of vitamin D or normal levels of vitamin D did better than those that had low levels."

• Indicates a correlation between Vitamin D levels and health outcomes, suggesting vitamin D as a marker of sun exposure.

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

• Suggests that the health benefits attributed to Vitamin D might actually be due to infrared radiation affecting mitochondria.

• Winter months, especially in higher latitudes, result in less ultraviolet B radiation, impacting Vitamin D synthesis.
• Despite less ultraviolet B, infrared radiation still penetrates and may provide health benefits.

"In the wintertime when the sun is lower in the sky...ultraviolet B does not make it very well."

• Explains the seasonal deficiency in Vitamin D production due to reduced ultraviolet B exposure.

• Red light at 670 nanometers can improve mitochondrial efficiency, as shown in studies by Glenn Jeffrey.
• This type of light therapy has been shown to improve eyesight and glucose metabolism.

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

• Highlights the potential of red light therapy to enhance mitochondrial function and health outcomes.

• Red light penetrates the skin, activating mitochondria in fibroblasts to produce collagen, which can improve skin elasticity.
• Systemic effects of red light therapy have been observed, suggesting benefits beyond the application site.

"Red light...is activating the mitochondria in your fibroblast to produce more energy which those cells need to deposit collagen."

• Describes the process by which red light therapy can enhance skin health through collagen production.

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

• Suggests that localized red light therapy can have widespread effects on the body.

• Infrared light may aid in recovery from COVID-19 by improving oxygen saturation and reducing hospital stays.
• A study in Brazil showed significant health improvements in COVID-19 patients using infrared-emitting jackets.

"The group that had the jacket turned on had improvement in their oxygen saturation...and the most important...was the length of stay in the hospital."

• Demonstrates the potential of infrared light to support recovery in COVID-19 patients.

• Sunlight exposure correlated with lower COVID-19 mortality rates, independent of Vitamin D levels.
• Studies in various countries have shown a relationship between sunlight and reduced COVID-19 mortality.

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

• Indicates a potential protective effect of sunlight against COVID-19 mortality.

• Long-term studies in Sweden and the UK show that more sunlight exposure correlates with lower mortality from various diseases.
• Sunlight exposure reduces non-skin cancer mortality without increasing melanoma risk.

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

• Suggests a broad health benefit from regular sunlight exposure.

"There was no statistical increased risk of melanoma incidents but there was a reduction in non-skin cancer mortality."

• Highlights the safety and benefits of sunlight exposure concerning cancer risks.

• The significant health benefits of sunlight exposure suggest it could be a valuable public health measure.
• The lack of increased melanoma risk supports encouraging moderate sun exposure.

"This might actually show a possible public health intervention."

• Proposes sunlight exposure as a potential public health strategy to improve overall health outcomes.

• Modern indoor lifestyles contribute to a deficiency in sunlight exposure, potentially leading to health issues.
• Historical comparisons suggest current sunlight exposure is significantly lower than in the past.

"The scurvy of the 21st century is the lack of sunlight."

• Compares the modern lack of sunlight to historical nutrient deficiencies, emphasizing its importance.

• Aim for 15 minutes of sunlight exposure daily to optimize mitochondrial function and health.
• Even on cloudy days, outdoor exposure is beneficial compared to staying indoors.

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

• Suggests a simple daily practice to enhance health through sunlight exposure.

• Green spaces and trees reflect infrared light, contributing to better health outcomes.
• Urban greening projects have shown significant health benefits, such as reduced inflammation markers.

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

• Illustrates the health benefits of increasing green spaces in urban areas.

• Utilize outdoor breaks during work to increase sunlight exposure.
• Consider red light devices for additional infrared exposure, especially in low-sunlight environments.

"At lunch, I try to get outside as much as I possibly can into the sun for my 15 minutes."

• Provides a practical approach to incorporating sunlight exposure into a busy schedule.

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

• Encourages outdoor activity even in less ideal weather conditions for health benefits.

• Modern lighting exposes humans to a narrow spectrum of light, unlike historical full-spectrum light sources.
• Incandescent bulbs are being phased out due to energy efficiency laws, making them harder to find.
• LED bulbs, which emit more blue light, may impair color differentiation compared to incandescent bulbs.

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

• Modern lighting changes human exposure to light, focusing on energy efficiency rather than full-spectrum light.

"There was a 25% improvement in color differentiation in his study."

• Switching from LED to incandescent bulbs improved color differentiation, suggesting LED light may impair vision.

• The retina's cones, which are metabolically active, require energy from mitochondria to function effectively.
• Aging reduces mitochondrial energy output, affecting visual perception.
• Exposure to specific light wavelengths can improve vision by enhancing mitochondrial function.

"The retina, which is the back of your eye, where the light is coming in, there's these cones that are tremendously metabolically active."

• The retina's cones require significant energy, which decreases with age, affecting vision.

"Glenn Jeffy's done this study already where he for just three minutes 670 nanometer light very similar to that mask in the eye only in the morning improved those people's ability to visualize and actually see."

• Exposure to specific light wavelengths can enhance visual perception by boosting mitochondrial energy output.

• Diseases and mortality rates correlate with sunlight exposure, peaking after the shortest day of the year.
• Seasonal variations in sunlight exposure influence disease patterns and mortality rates.

"Deaths are correlated to the length of the day."

• Mortality rates align with sunlight exposure, peaking after the shortest day, indicating sunlight's impact on health.

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

• A clear pattern shows increased deaths after the shortest day, suggesting sunlight plays a role in health outcomes.

• The best time for sunlight exposure is early morning or late afternoon to avoid harmful UV rays.
• Sunlight exposure through the eyes is crucial for regulating circadian rhythms.
• Light exposure affects melatonin production and circadian rhythms, impacting sleep patterns.

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

• Early morning or late afternoon sunlight minimizes UV exposure while providing beneficial light.

"For this type of a light though, what we're looking at is circadian rhythm."

• Light exposure through the eyes regulates circadian rhythms, influencing sleep and overall health.

• Darkness is essential for melatonin production and maintaining healthy circadian rhythms.
• Exposure to light at night can disrupt sleep patterns and melatonin production.
• Reducing light exposure, especially blue light, at night is crucial for health.

"It's important to have darkness."

• Darkness is crucial for melatonin production and maintaining circadian rhythms, impacting overall health.

"The light that's going into our eyes is doing two things at night. Number one, it is shutting down melatonin production from the pineal gland."

• Nighttime light exposure disrupts melatonin production, affecting sleep and circadian rhythms.

• Vitamin D is crucial for various bodily functions, including immune response and calcium metabolism.
• Supplementation of vitamin D can reduce risks of autoimmune diseases and other health conditions.
• Vitamin D levels vary based on skin color, geographic location, and sunlight exposure.

"Vitamin D, if you were to look at the structure of vitamin D, actually I actually did research on this interestingly in college."

• Vitamin D plays a significant role in DNA transcription and various bodily functions.

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

• Regular vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases and enhance health.

• Water usage, both internal and external, can influence body temperature and immune response.
• The innate immune system, including interferon production, is crucial for initial defense against infections.
• Fever is a natural immune response that enhances interferon production, aiding in fighting infections.

"Interferon production goes up with temperature."

• Fever increases interferon production, enhancing the body's ability to fight infections.

"We should not really be treating fevers unless they're so high that there's other complications."

• Treating fevers can hinder the immune response, as fever is a natural defense mechanism.

• Hydrotherapy can artificially induce fever, enhancing interferon response and immune function.
• Heat application, such as in saunas or hot towels, can stimulate immune responses.
• Increasing body temperature through external means can aid in fighting infections.

"If we're able to induce artificial fevers in patients who have these infections, there seems to be evidence that the interferon response will be better."

• Artificially inducing fever can enhance interferon response, boosting the immune system's effectiveness.

"There was off the charts 10fold increase in interferon at different temperatures."

• Heat application significantly boosts interferon production, enhancing immune responses against infections.

• High levels of interferon correlate with milder SARS-CoV-2 infections, whereas low levels are associated with severe COVID-19 cases.
• Sauna use is linked to cardiovascular health benefits and may influence interferon levels.

"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 importance of interferon levels in determining the severity of COVID-19 infections.

• Regular sauna use is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality.
• Hot and cold therapy together helps maintain core body temperature and aids in white blood cell circulation.

"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."

• Frequent sauna use is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Cold water does again is the vasoconstriction... causes actually to keep your body temperature higher for longer, ironically."

• Cold therapy post-sauna helps maintain higher core body temperature and promotes circulation of white blood cells.

• Good air quality involves not just a lack of toxins but also benefits like increased oxygen and reduced carbon dioxide.
• Phytoncides from plants enhance the immune system and promote relaxation.

"There's been actually a number of studies looking at plants and trees and the fact that they can give off things like phytoncides."

• Exposure to natural environments and phytoncides can boost immune function and mental relaxation.

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

• Simple actions like opening a window can significantly improve indoor air quality by reducing CO2 levels.

• Religious faith and trust in a supportive deity are associated with reduced anxiety and depression.
• Unconditional forgiveness is linked to better mental health outcomes.

"People who have a good faith and trust in a god... have less anxiety, less depression, have a faith community that they can engage with and be supportive."

• Faith in a supportive deity correlates with lower levels of anxiety and depression.

"People that forgave unconditionally had less depression. They had less feelings of inadequacy."

• Unconditional forgiveness is associated with lower depression and anxiety levels.

• People with healthy relationships with their faith communities tend to have better health outcomes.
• Negative perceptions of a deity can adversely impact mental health.

"People who have a healthy relationship with their church, who have a healthy relationship in God are associated with less disease."

• A positive faith community relationship is linked to better physical health.

"If you believe in a god who is vindictive or who's out to get you... that has also been shown to be negatively impactful."

• Negative religious beliefs can harm mental health.

• Physicians often witness varying attitudes towards death, with some patients choosing not to prolong life artificially.
• Personal anecdotes of unexpected recoveries challenge medical prognostications.

"We try to make sure that when these things happen that they happen with dignity and we celebrate the person's life."

• Emphasizes the importance of dignity in end-of-life care.

"He waved at you. Yeah. What? And I said, 'Let's go check this out again.' Long story short, took months, but that guy walked out of that hospital."

• An unexpected recovery challenges medical expectations and highlights the potential for miracles.

• Melatonin can aid in sleep and circadian rhythm adjustment but should not be used in high doses regularly.
• Overuse of melatonin may lead to irritability and mood disorders.

"A little tiny dose of melatonin, no more than five milligrams can be actually very beneficial."

• Low-dose melatonin can help with sleep issues without significant side effects.

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

• High doses of melatonin may negatively affect mood and mental health.

• The Bible contains statements that have scientific relevance, such as the body being a temple.
• Ancient texts may align with modern scientific understanding in unexpected ways.

"Paul who is one of the New Testament writers in the Bible wrote to the Corinthians. Don't you understand that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?"

• The metaphor of the body as a temple aligns with scientific understandings of the body's structure and function.

"Statements are made in ancient texts which have scientific relevance far below the surface."

• Ancient religious texts may contain insights that resonate with modern scientific discoveries.