January 1, Doctor Says 30 Seconds of Sunlight May Be “Most Effective Way” to Prevent Cancer

Dr. Mohammad Muneeb Khan, one of the United Kingdom’s leading cancer prevention specialists, says that enjoying 30 seconds of sunlight every morning can greatly reduce your chances of developing the disease.

Khan says that less than 30 seconds of exposure to the sun’s near-infrared (NIR) light between sunrise and 9 a.m. may offer adults and children more protection against cancer than eating 2,500 bananas per day. Stepping outside during this window of time cut reduce the odds of developing cancer from a one-in-two chance to one-in-ten — a more effective preventative measure than any other.

Absorbing NIR light in the early morning prompts the body to release a large quantity of melatonin — a powerful, natural antioxidant that prevents cancer-causing gene mutations. NIR light is most effective at sunrise, with its positive effects gradually decreasing throughout the day as the body becomes less responsive to it.

NIR light exposure at other times of the day still results in the body producing melatonin, but not enough to adequately repair and protect cells.

Khan, an oncologist at Castle Hill Hospital in Yorkshire who’s considered one of the world’s leading experts on adult cancer prevention, believes NIR light exposure could be the “ultimate detox.”

“It really couldn’t be easier. Stepping outside every morning to catch the best NIR light really could be the simplest, cheapest, most effective and by far the most natural way to protect against the Big C for any cancer-free adult anywhere in the world,” he said in a statement. 

“It is still early days but if further research bears out the initial findings about mass melatonin production – which is highly compelling with the potential to reduce the cancer risk rate by five times, from one-in-two to one-in-10, equating to an 80 per cent reduction – then we should all make time every morning to bathe in the healing light of the sun.”

According to Khan, the early morning sunlight must reach a part of the retina at the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). When this happens, it transmits a signal prompting the brain to produce a flood of melatonin. It would be less beneficial if the sunlight was absorbed through a car window, sunglasses, etc.

Khan, the founder of the international charity Killing Cancer Kindly, the benefits of NIR light are still possible to obtain on a cloudy or rainy day — so long as you increase the time from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. The doctor noted that plants and trees reflect NIR light, so looking at greenery or walking through the park would be ideal.

If you’re unable to get outside, opening a window and looking around is the next best thing.

Khan noted that you shouldn’t ever look directly at the sun. NIR light doesn’t cause sunburn and isn’t considered to be a skin cancer risk, he added.

Source: Study Finds