* sunshine *

nacre, originally uploaded by Scoobymoo.

When did we all become afraid of the sun? In the 1920s and 30s sunbathing was seen as health-promoting and people would pay for sun therapy. Now we slap on the factor 50 and scuttle for the shadows; no wonder we all have vitamin D deficiency.

There's increasing evidence that Vitamin D plays a vital role in health but the best source is from exposure to sunlight and today's lifestyle doesn't encourage exposure. Many of us only feel the sun's rays on our skin as we rush from house to car, from car to work, or into the shops. Then when we do decide to sunbathe so many of us overdo it, damaging the skin and increasing the risk of skin cancer.  In fact, researchers are finding that vitamin D actually reduces the incidence of cancers.

Seems to me that the sensible path is careful sun exposure. So here are some tips:

* Don't sunbathe during the hottest hours (how many times have you heard THAT?)

* Vitamin D starts to be formed in the skin after about 15 minutes exposure (depending upon intensity of the sun's rays). A good guide is to let your skin start to turn a little pink and then cover up well.

* How can you check if your skin is burning? Press a fingertip onto your skin and hold for about 5 seconds then remove. If a pink mark appears shortly after then your skin has had enough.

* I believe that skin cancer is caused by repeated sun damage - please notice that last word - careful exposure to the sun is healthy; being silly and going beetroot and peeling is NOT.

* Shock! According to some sources, if you wash sun-exposed skin with detergents within 48 hours of exposure you are washing Vitamin D off! Apparently Vitamin D3 is formed in your skin through the conversion of a cholesterol derivative but it takes a couple of days to be absorbed into the bloodstream.  You can always use soap for armpits, groin and feet but just rinse the rest of the body with water.  Read more at Mercola.com (you have to register).  Even if this isn't quite true it makes sense not to wash off all your skin's natural oils every time you shower or bathe.  No wonder the big bodycare companies sell so much moisturiser - it's to compensate for the loss of natural skin protection by the overuse of their detergents.  Nice trick.

Have fun in the sun and increase your vital vitamin D levels. Don't be scared of it.