RESEARCHERS SAY "LET THE SUNSHINE IN"

By Maureen Dietrich

If you are like most consci-entious beach-goers, your beach bag holds several different suntan lotions with SPF ratings of 15 to 60 to filter out harmful UV rays, the skin cancer culprit. A recent ground-breaking American study shows we may not be doing ourselves a favor by slathering on sun protection ointments. Researchers have discovered that the Vitamin D our bodies absorb from sunrays is a powerful cancer inhibitor. In a four year study of 1,200 women, they found that of those taking Vitamin D there was an astounding 60% reduction in breast cancer cases compared to those without the vitamin. The study went on to say that a daily 10-15 minute exposure of bare skin to bright sunshine is sufficient to absorb 10,000 international units of Vitamin D, which the body

converts to a steroid hormone. The genes which respond to the hormone are those responsible for fixing damaged cells. Populations living close to the equator show less incidence of serious cancers compared to those in northern climates where cold weather keeps people indoors for months at a time. Lifestyle also plays an important part in sun exposure. Whereas once we were an agrarian species working outdoors, we now divide our time between the office and home leaving little room for outdoor activities. The study stresses that it is still important to wear a hat and step into the shade before you feel a tingle of sunburn, particularly if you are light-skinned. With over nine months of sunny days in Mazatlán, even a short noontime walk in a sleeveless shirt and shorts should keep you healthy and happy year round.

 

Email Us Your Comments or Suggestions
Copyright 1999
Mazatlan's Pacific Pearl
All Rights Reserved