It's the beginning of summer for most of us, which means it's time to catch some Vitamin D!

Sunshine is one of the best, most misunderstood health remedies out there. Sun exposure can help you fight off depression and offers protection against several types of cancer by as much as 60% or more.

Best of all, the only cost is to make sure you get your body outside. 

Too much of it, however, can result in varying degrees of sunburn, which should be avoided as this damages the skin and can lead to certain types of skin cancer down the road. Prevention is, as with so much else, much better than looking for a cure after the damage has been done. But if you do sunburn, I hope the above natural remedies help you to minimize the problem.

Here are some tips to help you prevent sunburns while still getting your daily dose of sunlight:

• Reduce your exposure to the sun particularly during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.

• At the beginning of the season, limit your exposure to the sun to as little as 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase the time in the sun so that in a few weeks, you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer.

• Consuming many whole vegetables will increase antioxidant levels in your body, which will provide protection against any sun-induced radiation damage. It is frequently low levels of antioxidant in your skin that is one of the primary reasons why you get a sunburn.

Before you pack your beach bags and haul off to the beach, you might also want to review my article on Five Ways to Protect Your Kids This Summer, for more tips on sun and summer safety.