Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is critical to the proper functioning of your body, including bone health and immunity. Unlike other vitamins, our bodies have the ability to make Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight – and it doesn’t take much! Too much sun exposure can lead to skin damage and increase your risks for skin cancer.
Vitamin D is essential for helping our bodies absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus which are critical for bone health. Studies show that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, improve hair, skin, and nails, support mood, help control infections, and reduce inflammation.
️ Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this.
The best time to soak up the sun (sans sunscreen) is between 8 and 10 a.m. before the sun is at its peak.
⚠️ If you’re planning on spending more than just a few minutes in the sun, especially in the middle of the day when UV rays are most intense, take care to make sure you’re not overdoing it! Follow some of our tips here to enjoy your time outside safely!
⚖️ As with all things in life – it’s all about BALANCE!
If you’re going to be out in the heat of the day for extended periods, it’s important to protect yourself and your kiddos from the most intense rays to avoid sunburn!
See above a few non-toxic options safe for kiddos! ⛱ Badger can typically be found in some big box stores, others at health food stores like Fresh Thyme or Whole Foods, and all of these can be found online at Amazon, Thrive Market, or at other retailers listed on individual brands websites.
When shopping sunscreen check out labels and aim to avoid any that contain:
Active ingredients –
❌ Avobenzone
❌ Oxybenzone
❌ Octisalate
❌ Octinoxate
❌Octocrylene
❌ Homosalate
Inactive ingredients –
❌ Parabens
❌ Phthalates
❌ Ethoxylated ingredients
❌ Tocopheryl Acetate
❌ BHT
❌ Fragrance
Many of these ingredients are endocrine disruptors which can mimic, block, or alter hormone signals, leading to disruptions in hormonal balance potentially causing adverse health effects and even cancer. ☢️ A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked into the skin’s absorption rates of chemicals showed that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminant dosage, higher in more sensitive areas like armpits and genitals. The rate of absorption for fragrance is nearer to 100%. ⚠️ It’s important to consider safety of ingredients that we are slathering on our skin or the skin of our children as frequently as every day!
As important as sunscreen is to protect us from skin cancer later in life, it can also interfere with sunlight’s positive effects. Talk to your pediatrician about finding a balance between brief periods of sun exposure and sunscreen use, and for sun safety guidance for children under the age of 1.
We have used Jessica for several years now. She takes time and care when seeing her patients. My husband and I will always feel like she saved our baby. Our youngest was sick and then ended up with RSV and pneumonia. It was Jessica who kept in touch with and made sure our daughter received the best care.
They are excellent listeners. They focus on the root cause and finding actual, personalized answers for your child’s health & wellness struggles. So happy to have found them!
Jessica, since we started seeing you I loved how you’ve always fought for our daughter’s. You’ve seen us thru some scary times but ALWAYS place our daughter’s first and that’s why when you moved we decided to follow you. You’re awesome and my daughter’s don’t trust anyone else but you. Continue doing you Jessica, you’re awesome!
I drive an hour just to come to this office. Been coming since my daughter was 3, now she’s 5. It’s clean, professional, quick, friendly, reasonably priced and Jessica is a TOTAL PRO who is the main reason for our visits. Can’t recommend her and Well Rooted enough!
Fantastic personalized care you won’t find anywhere else. Staff is amazing! Providers are helpful, informative and respond quickly. So glad I found this place and I won’t take my kids anywhere else. It’s a 50 mile drive and more than worth it!
