Since the beginning of time, man has yearned to destroy the sun

[cross-posted at The Shotgun]

For years we've been told to wear sunscreen - and lots of it - whenever we go out in the sun. Sunshine has become something to fear, we're told. I'll never forget reading about one activist a few years ago, who won't let her child out in the sun at all.

And now, right on cue, a prominent dermatologist has written a book arguing that we aren't getting enough sun:

Sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer, but our bodies also use sunlight to make and store vitamin D.

In his new book, The UV Advantage, Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University said up to 60 per cent of people are at risk of bone and skin disorders because they don't get enough vitamin D from their diet.

"If you're always wearing sun protection, if you're never exposed to direct sunlight, you're at very high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency," said Holick.

The jury is still out on whether chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, colon, breast and prostate cancer are caused by vitamin D deficiencies, but some studies show at least an association.

Holick suggests five to 15 minutes of sun exposure, two to three times a week to receive 1,000 units of vitamin D a day – an amount difficult to get from diet, even with supplements.

Challenging the view there is no safe level of sun exposure got Holick kicked out of the dermatology department at Boston University. He remains the director of the university's vitamin D lab and admits he receives research funding from the tanning industry.

I am not about to swear off sunscreen for good just because of one book, but if Holick's theory is true, it's a prime example of the law of unintended consequences in action. We've been so obsessed with the harmful effects of sunlight that we've shut ourselves off to the benefits of sunlight as well. It just goes to show you that few things are completely, irrevocably harmful in moderation. (Cigarettes and rat poison, but not much else.)

For the record, if I ever have kids, I'll make sure they don't go out without any protection from the sun. But I am not going to make them so scared of the sun that they'll stay inside and play XBOX all day, either.

Posted by damian at June 1, 2004 07:26 PM