From sunburns and dark spots to more severe long-term consequences like skin cancer, you may be all too familiar with the potential repercussions of enjoying one too many beach days without sunscreen. And while it’s likely that your parents discussed the negative effects of having a little too much fun in the sun, they probably never took the time to go over what happens if you don’t get enough of it. 

The sun’s potentially damaging UV rays are the very same ones that provide your body with a natural form of vitamin D: an essential nutrient that keeps your bones healthy, reduces inflammation and supports your immune health and metabolism. 

But what happens when you’re not receiving enough sunlight? 

While it’s safe to say you won’t turn into a vampire, it is possible to experience some less-than-pleasant effects. In this article, we discuss the potential impacts of not getting enough sunlight and how much sun you actually need. 

Effects of Not Receiving Enough Sunlight 

There are several reasons individuals might not obtain enough natural sunlight. Whether they live in an area that boasts more nighttime than daytime hours or have a medical condition that makes it challenging to go outside, deficiency in sunlight is more prevalent than you might think. 

Here are some of the most common effects people experience if they don’t receive an adequate amount of sunlight: 

• Weakened immune system 
  Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping your immune system in tip-top shape by boosting immune cells’ production of pathogen-fighting proteins. When you don’t absorb enough sunlight, you may experience a weakened immune system and become more susceptible to getting the flu, cold or other infections. 

• Low energy
  Sunlight may be responsible for increasing the brain’s production of serotonin, the hormone associated with producing a sense of calm and boosting your mood. Without sunlight, your serotonin levels may dip, which could trigger a state of fatigue even when you’ve received an adequate amount of sleep. 

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  If you live in an environment where the sun is in short supply during those frigid winter months, you might be all too familiar with the winter blues. But did you know that the sun may be partially to blame for those feelings of depression or mood changes? The decrease in sunlight during winter months can impact your internal clock — also known as circadian rhythm — which can disrupt your sleep schedule and lead to feelings of depression. 

• Weaker bones
  Sunlight plays an important role in providing your body with vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus to keep your bones strong. Without enough vitamin D, you are more prone to becoming an unwilling recipient of weaker bones. Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels can lead to lower bone density, which may be a leading factor in causing potential fractures or osteoporosis. 

• Weight gain
  We’ve already mentioned that a lack of sunlight can affect your circadian rhythm. When that biological clock is altered, you may find it more challenging to sleep at night. If that happens repeatedly, you’re more likely to feel fatigued throughout the day, lending less energy for a regular exercise routine. In addition, the sun may play a part in keeping your metabolism on track. One study found that UV rays cause nitric oxide production, which helps your metabolism function properly. Without sunlight, your metabolism could slow down, making it easier to gain weight. 

How Much Sun Is Enough? 

While you don’t need to lay on a log like a turtle basking in the sun to receive an ample amount of vitamin D, the question remains — how much sun do we need to ensure we’re getting our daily dose? 

It largely depends on three factors: 

• The color of your skin
  Fair-skinned individuals usually have less melanin (the pigment that determines your skin color) than people with dark skin. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. This means that people with darker skin often need to spend longer periods in the sun to receive the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin. 

• The time of day you go outside
  UV rays are at their peak during midday. By choosing to take a stroll in the early afternoon, you won’t need to stay outside as long to get an ample amount of sunlight and vitamin D. 

• The amount of clothing you wear 
  When it’s cold, you usually don more layers of clothing. While these layers do keep you warm, they also ensure that less of your skin receives direct contact with sunlight. It’s important to stay outside longer when you’re bundled up to ensure your uncovered skin is absorbing enough vitamin D. 

Overall, the amount of sun you need depends on the factors listed above. But if you’re able to expose one-third of your skin by wearing shorts and a T-shirt, then spending 10 to 30 minutes in the sun three times a week is plenty of time to ensure you’re getting enough sunlight. 

Gain Practical Knowledge for Careers in Medicine at the University of Florida 

If you’re interested in giving your resume a sizeable boost, look no further than the University of Florida’s online Medical Physiology Graduate Certificate program. In as little as one semester, you can complete the 9 to 14 credit hours needed to obtain the certificate. This program consists of rigorous and up-to-date content and is ideal for a variety of professionals in the medical community, including: 

• Nurses 
• Physician assistants 
• Medical school applicants 
• Individuals preparing for the MCAT 
• High school or community college professors teaching biology or physiology courses 

Learn more details about our online Medical Physiology Graduate Certificate program or take the next step and apply today. 

Sources:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26538987/ 

What comes to mind when you think of bacteria? Infection? Illness? While these ailments are often associated with bacteria, not all species of bacteria cause harm. Some are actually quite beneficial, and understanding how these microorganisms operate will make you feel much better about knowing that they’re alive inside you right now. 

Bacteria are tiny organisms — living things — that exist within the bodies of humans and animals and in just about every environment on the planet. To give you an idea of just how small bacteria are, compare these single-celled microbes to the average adult human male, who is made up of more than an estimated 37 trillion cells. Despite their microscopic size, bacteria have the potential to do a great deal of harm or good within our bodies.  

Separating the Good From the Bad 

Our digestive system (or gastrointestinal system) is home to five different types of bacteria, each of which contains multiple bacterial species. Bacteria are an important part of our flora, or the organisms that live in our bodies. Although bacterial species are responsible for some forms of pneumonia, food poisoning, strep throat, tuberculosis and a slew of other conditions we all want to avoid, many types of bacteria are ultimately beneficial.   

Many dairy products, including yogurt, kefir and most cheeses, are made with fermented milk, which means bacteria were encouraged to grow in the milk. These fermented products help deliver “good” bacteria to your digestive system and help break down foods so that the nutrients can be absorbed and waste products can be removed. Gut bacteria have been shown to play a positive role in the growth of infants and can help prevent conditions such as: 

• Diabetes 
• Obesity 
• Immune and autoimmune disorders 
• Digestive disorders 

Considering the potential benefits of gut bacteria, it’s no wonder so many people are intentionally introducing more bacteria into their bodies through probiotic supplements. Yes, there are “bad” bacteria in your gut as well, but having sufficient amounts of the good kind creates a balance that will prevent harmful bacteria from threatening your health.  

Online Explorations of the Inner Workings of the Human Body 

Expand your understanding of how the gastrointestinal system and the organisms within react to the introduction of other organisms or drugs, as well as how the nervous system and all the various systems of the human body react to such factors. The University of Florida’s renowned College of Medicine delivers one physiology-focused master’s degree program and two graduate certificate programs entirely online. Each of these graduate options enables you to build new career expertise and credentials at your own pace. UF’s online classroom is open 24/7 and accessible from virtually anywhere, offering you the flexibility to complete your studies around your professional and personal commitments. Let’s take a closer look at these programs now: 

Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology 

Our online master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology examines the effects of antibiotics, tobacco, cannabis and various other drugs on the major human body systems and our general health. In addition, our program helps you prepare for the National Board, MCAT and other exams that are crucial to your advancement within a medical career or a related field. Choose this program and you can: 

• Graduate in as little as a year. 
• Apply without taking the GRE. 
• Complete required coursework on your own schedule. 
• Acquire clinical knowledge that will help you excel in medical school. 
• Take advantage of a greater number of financial aid options. 
• Compete for coveted leadership positions. 

In addition, if you‘ve previously completed a Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology or a Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology with a specialization in Cardiovascular/Renal Physiology, you’re already halfway to earning your master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology! Our master’s degree program permits you to transfer up to 15 credits from either of those certificate programs, which are explained below.  

Graduate Certificates 

If you’ve already completed at least a bachelor’s degree and want to give your current career a boost with up-to-date skills and an additional credential, you may want to consider one of our graduate certificate programs: 

Our Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology with a specialization in Cardiovascular/Renal Physiology presents an advanced evaluation of cardiovascular and renal functioning and pathophysiology that will prove invaluable to you in a clinical setting. Students can finish this program’s 12 required credits in as little as two semesters.  

Our 9-to-14-credit Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology program explores the essentials of physiology with specific attention paid to the primary human body systems. You’ll enjoy tremendous flexibility that will allow you to complete this program in just one semester! 

Complement your understanding of human body systems and functioning with an online graduate degree or certificate program from the University of Florida.  

Sources:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health-pictures/amazing-benefits-of-gut-bacteria.aspx
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/institute-basic-biomedical-sciences/4-the-gut-microbiome-tuddenham.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/
https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/gut-bacteria 

It’s a tale as old as time. Growing up, your family tried to instill a love of broccoli and other leafy greens in you, but it never quite took. Now, you might be an adult who still doesn’t appreciate certain veggies, coffee or spicy foods. Perhaps you’d even go so far as to call yourself a picky eater. If so, have you ever considered whether you might be a supertaster? 

While being a supertaster might sound like a covetable superpower, the one in four people who find themselves with this ability might not always see it as a blessing. When it comes down to it, there’s one question on everyone’s mind: What is a supertaster? Join us as we answer this and all your other burning questions related to supertasters.  

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a — Supertaster? 

Our tongues are covered in tiny buds called taste papillae, which come in three forms: fungiform, circumvallate and foliate. Fungiform papillae are mushroom-shaped and found on the front of your tongue. They contain a combination of taste buds and sensory receptors that detect taste and touch sensations. These taste receptors bind to food molecules and give your brain an indicator of what you’re eating. 

The taste buds on your fungiform papillae can detect five primary flavors while you’re eating, including: 

• Sweet 
• Salty 
• Sour 
• Bitter 
• Umami (savory tastes, often associated with broths or meaty food)

If you find yourself wondering exactly how many taste buds supertasters have, you’re not alone. While there aren’t studies with these exact findings, some statistics have been gathered based on at-home taste bud-counting tests that count the number of taste buds people have on a six-millimeter section of their tongue: 

• Supertasters are more likely to have approximately 35 to 60 taste buds per six-millimeter section. 
• Average tasters make up approximately 50% of the population. They have about 15 to 35 taste buds per section. 
• Non-tasters are likely to have 15 or fewer taste buds per six-millimeter section. As the name would suggest, non-tasters often notice less flavor in their food. 

Picking a Supertaster Out of a Lineup: Characteristics to Look For 

If you feel like you might qualify as a supertaster, but you’re not quite sure, there are a few telltale characteristics to look for, including:  

Picky Eating 

Many supertasters have a laundry list of foods they wouldn’t dare touch unless they were stranded on a deserted island — and even then, it would be a challenge. To their credit, there is a scientific reason behind their finicky food preferences. Scientists believe that many supertasters have the gene TAS2R38. 

This particular gene increases a person’s perception of the bitterness in various foods and drinks. Many supertasters that have taken part in scientific studies often find that they’re extremely sensitive to a chemical called propylthiouracil (PROP). This chemical is often used in research to measure a person’s sensitivity to notes of tartness. Because PROP has an easily detectable bitter taste, supertasters often note an extremely bitter taste when given the chemical, more so than average or non-tasters.  

Camouflaging Bitter Flavors by Overcompensating With Other Flavors 

Broccoli and spinach may leave an overwhelmingly bitter taste in the mouths of supertasters, but that doesn’t mean they don’t understand the nutritional value veggies offer. To mask the bitterness, some supertasters add sweet, salty or fatty flavors to foods they wouldn’t eat otherwise. This makes certain bitter-tasting foods more palatable so supertasters can have their vegetables — and their nutrients too.  

Preferring Salty Flavors (But Hold the Extra Salt) 

You may assume that someone who perceives the delicate differences in salty, sweet or bitter flavors would steer clear of foods that are too salty. On the contrary! A recent study showed that supertasters preferred foods that were high in salt. While there’s no conclusion as to why they feel this way, researchers believe that it may be because salty flavors cut out some of the bitterness from certain foods, like cheese. 

While a lot of supertasters prefer saltier foods, that doesn’t mean they are keen on reaching for the saltshaker during every meal. For average tasters and non-tasters, salt adds more flavor to otherwise bland food. But if you’re a supertaster, that same food probably has significantly more flavor to you, so it doesn’t need the added salt. 

Avoiding Smoking or Alcohol 

While average and non-tasters may not notice the subtle bitter notes in some beers, citrusy seltzers and certain hard liquors, supertasters often taste these flavors front and center on their palette. While it’s not always a determining factor, the tangy aftertaste can turn alcohol into a no-go for some supertasters. Similarly, the additives and tobacco in cigarettes can also leave behind a bitter essence, making them even more unpleasant to those with extreme taste buds.  

Whether you’re a superhero physician in the making or a working professional interested in developing your understanding of human physiology, you can step up your game with the University of Florida’s Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology. This program allows you to earn your certificate entirely online in as little as one semester. Our well-rounded courses contain relevant coursework that will prepare you for National Board exams, the MCAT or other standardized tests in the medical industry.  

Take control of your future today by applying to our online Graduate Certificate in Medical Physiology program. 

Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2010/06/16/127880219/for-supertasters-a-desire-for-salt-is-in-their-genes 
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/supertaster#supertaster-quiz 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766753/