Make the Sun Call You Daddy

 I have recently learned about two sun-mediated human biology phenomena that prompted me to write about the sun and Ultimate Masculinity. The first is about how sunlight exposure on our skin can reduce inflammation in our body, via activation of an antioxidant. The second is how sunlight exposure, specifically UVB) increases testosterone in men and sexual passion and desire in men and women.

A video from Dr. Greger details how when our skin is exposed to sunlight, it can reactivate the ubiquitous and powerful antioxidant CoQ10. When CoQ10 accepts free radicals in our body, thereby reducing our inflammation, it essentially depletes. One of the mechanisms for recharging it appears to be mediated by sunlight exposure to the skin. However, there is a key third ingredient - this reaction only happens in the presence of chlorophyll. There are plenty of jokes about vegans using photosynthesis to nourish themselves, but it seems there is some truth to that!

It seems that when eating dark, leafy greens like kale, chard, spinach - among many others - some of the chlorophyll is preserved and makes its way to our bloodstream. When sunlight hits the chlorophyll, it causes a process that allows CoQ10 to replenish itself and get back to reducing inflammation and anti-oxidizing our bodies. In fact, there is some evidence that CoQ10 actually reduces skin damage and incidence of cancer. [1] Maybe sunlight, when taken in combination with big salads, isn't all bad!

The more exciting finding is that sun exposure increases testosterone and sexual passion and desire in humans. In a 2021 study, scientists showed that "solar exposure [...]  positively correlates with testosterone level" and "enhances romantic passion in both genders". [2] When we think about Ultimate Masculinity, living healthier for longer is all well and good, but what we really want is to feel manly. Luckily for us, increased testosterone is the manly hormone. The more testosterone you have, the manlier you are. Additionally, feeling and expressing passion is an essential aspect of Ultimate Masculinity. Obviously we need to be careful to not overexpose ourselves and risk skin damage, but maybe with enough CoQ10 we can sustain longer sun exposure.

Move over oysters and Viagra, try a huge salad (with some nuts to support testosterone synthesis) and a topless noon-time walk the next time you want a boost.

 

[1] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/133946

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34433056/ 

Additional Watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR_f-iwUGY4