News

How much sun do you need?

Too much sun causes skin cancer, not enough leaves us short of Vitamin D. How much sun should we be getting? Australian researchers have come up with some guidelines.

Most Australians consider themselves the outdoorsy types. We are a nation of sun-drenched, beach dwelling, bronzed Paul Hogans and Chips Raffertys. However, this national image is a mirage - the reality is we do not get out as much as we could - or should. Long working hours, the shift to service industries (often office-based), the decline in outdoor activities, the rise in popularity of screen games and computers all mean that we're spending more and more time indoors, out of the sun. Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D in our bodies (about 90 per cent) and studies show falling levels of Vitamin D in our bodies because of the time we spend indoors. Low vitamin D levels can cause osteoporosis, a condition in which our bones lose calcium, become brittle and are susceptible to fracture. In addition, it has been linked with multiple sclerosis, diabetes, bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and lymphoma. Studies suggest that between about a third and a half of Australians have at least marginal vitamin D deficiency. Some groups in the community have more serious vitamin D deficiency; people with dark skin, people who are elderly, housebound, bedridden, and women of the Islamic faith who cover their skin.

Read more about sun exposure guidelines by clicking here.

Source:    http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2006/04/05/1609208.htm; 27 January 2015