Are you confused with the conflicting advice about the benefits or risks of exposure to sunlight?
First we were told that sunshine is good for us, then we were told it is bad for us. Now it seems that it is good for us again.
According to a recent news story, “Spending an average of three hours a day exposed to sunlight can slash the risk of breast cancer by up to 50 per cent, according to research.”
This health benefit is gained by the body’s production of vitamin D in the skin.
The advice seems to be that we should spend more time in the sun, but protect ourselves with a high protection factor sun cream to avoid burning and avoid the risk of skin cancer, which sounds like good advice until you look further at the evidence.
The evidence shows that a very large number of people are vitamin D deficient and that this deficiency leads to a susceptibility to some diseases, including cancer.
Whilst most people probably obtain sufficient vitamin D to prevent rickets, it is unlikely that the recommended daily amount provides sufficient vitamin D to prevent other equally problematic deficiency symptoms.
The best source of vitamin D is undoubtedly from the sun.
But excessive exposure to the sun, especially at its hottest, causes burning and other skin damage.
Sunscreens will allow you to spend more time in the sun but will prevent the sun from activating the much-needed production of vitamin D in your body.
However, evidence shows that conventional sunscreen products may contain some chemicals that are carcinogenic.
It is important to make informed decisions based on the evidence.
It may also help to take notice of the way of life of people who live in hot countries. For example, in the Mediterranean area most people stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day or if they sit outside they sit in the shade. They invariably have a rest at the hottest time of day. If they sunbathe, they do so in the cooler parts of the day, morning or evening.
An extremely useful article about the importance of sunlight exposure and the dangers of sunscreen chemicals can be found HERE
It would seem therefore that the best approach is a ‘sensible’ one after all; make sure you spend time in the sunshine but do not spend hours lying out in the sun at the hottest time of the day; protect yourself with natural sun protection products if you need to use them; avoid skincare products that contain toxic chemicals and most importantly have a healthy diet to boost your natural health.