'Sunlight is good for you' - News - Evening Standard
       

'Sunlight is good for you'

A scientist is claiming too much sunscreen can lead to vitamin deficiency.

Professor Michael Holick of Boston University is advising people to spend up to 10 minutes a day in the sun unprotected to guard against a lack of vitamin D.

Vitamin D, produced in the body when it is exposedto sunlight, is needed for healthy muscle and bone, and may help protect against cancer.

But too much exposure to the sun's rays can cause skin cancer. The Government recommends applying sunscreen of at least factor 15 an hour before going out in the sun. Three studies by Mr Holick in Boston found a quarter of adolescents and half of the elderly who took part suffered vitamin D deficiency.

He said: "In our efforts to protect people from the sun we've thrown the baby out with the bathwater."

Comments

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon