Sunshine key to longevity 26 June 2008
A new study published in the Daily Express has uncovered that people with higher levels of vitamin D obtained through exposure to the sun have a much lower risk of dying early from heart disease or other serious health problems.
This research, undertaken by the Medical University of Graz in Austria, suggests that two or three 10–15 minute periods of sun exposure each week without sun cream is enough to achieve adequate levels of vitamin D. However, the Daily Express warn that longer exposure can actually lead to a breakdown of vitamin D and that excessive sun exposure can cause skin ageing and skin cancer.
This debate reiterates and draws upon arguments from the Supplements Compared blog, fight breast cancer with vitamin D from sunshine or supplements, which critiqued research that appeared to encourage seeking exposure to the sun and disregard the risks.
A member of the Supplements Compared expert panel said that although the sun can be beneficial to our health, we need to treat it with caution.
“Most of the vitamin D in the body is made in response to sunlight which is why people, particularly the elderly, need some contact with the sun; however, excessive sun exposure will increase your chance of developing skin cancer.”
They added:
“People should be sensible when exposing their skin to the sun by staying out of the strong midday rays and applying sun screen if they are going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time to avoid burning.”
