From: shadow@pro-haven.cts.com (Blaine Hufnagle)
Newsgroups: misc.fitness
Subject: Re: Test. and Sun??????????
Date: 2 Oct 92 19:19:57 GMT
Organization: ProLine [pro-haven] - Pariahs' Haven BBS, 409/693-8262, 9600-300

In <1992Oct2.075459.416@hnrc.tufts.edu> loszewski_im@hnrc.tufts.edu writes:

% Somehow I have a hard time believing that sun increases your testosterone too.
% Sunlight activates vitamin D in your skin which is responsible for calcium
% absorption, but again, biochemically speaking, I don't see how it would raise
% your testosterone.  At least I haven't seen any research on it.  I could be 
% wrong.

It has something to do with the skin creating minute amounts of hormones when
exposed to sunlight.  As a matter of fact, the article stated that the
increase in hormone levels was directly _NOT_ related to the Vitamin D
production in the skin.

% Then again...if it's coming from Ironman, IT MUST BE TRUTH!!!!  :)  :)  No Pun
% intended! :)

At the expense of violating copyright laws, I'll quote some of the magazine:

        "As for the anabolic effects of sunlight these occur because the
        hormonal system is affected in two ways.  When sunlight enters the
        eyes, it stimulates nerves in the backs of the eyes to send impulses
        to the spinal cord.  From there the impulses are sent back into the
        brain, to the pinal body, or gland.  The pinal body produces a
        hormone called melatonin, which acts as a catalyst that not only
        affects the brain, but other glands, such as the pituitary, adrenals,
        ovaries, and testes, as well. 

        When sunlight strikes the skin, it can produce sex hormones in the
        skin itself.  When the chest or back is exposed to sunlight, the male
        hormones may increase by as much as 120%, and when the genital area
        is exposed, the increase can be as much as 200%.  In addition, the
        exposure to sunlight produces adrenaline, which can not only boost
        energy and concentration, but can also stimulate the other glands to
        produce even more hormonal substances.

        Experiments show that because sunlight stimulates the thyroid gland,
        exposure can trigger fat loss and an increase in metabolism.  We've
        all seen men and women who seem to live at the beach and who look to
        be lean and vital and filled with energy.  While a portion of that
        vitality must be attributed to lifestyle, the majority of it can be
        credited to consistent daily exposure to the sun."

(Ironman Magazine, October 1992, pp 193-194)

From my own personal experience, I've found that when I combine my workouts
with "catching some rays" about once a week, my gains seem to be a little
more solid and permanent, and I generally tend to feel better.  My bodyfat
seems to stay down, too.  (or that just could be that having some color in my
skin makes me look thinner. you decice.)

Let's throw this into the ring for some serious discussion, shall we?

[After all, since _ALL_ life on earth stems from solar energy in one form or
another, doesn't it stand to reason that exposure to said sun would make life
better?]

-blaine

-blaine   a.k.a. The Midnight Shadow    |  1979 Chevy Urban Assault Vehicle
Texas Aggie Bus Driver and proud of it! |  1982 Thomas Transit Liner bus
Another Bodybuilder from HELL!!         |  1982 Yamaha Vision   DoD #7192
        "Mine is not to wonder why, Mine is but to look and cry....."