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The Myths and Facts of Vitamin D and Sun Exposure
By: Diana Clarke
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D formation are getting quite a bit of media coverage lately. Yet, dermatologists still advise the public to practice sun protection to prevent skin cancer. At a recent American Academy of Dermatology’s Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month news conference, dermatologist Darrell S. Rigel, M.D., clinical professor, New York University Medical Center in New York City, debunked the myths surrounding Vitamin D and offered advice on getting an adequate dose of this nutrient. “As a dermatologist who treats the ravages of skin cancer on a daily basis, it is appalling to me that anyone in good conscience could make the claim that intentional sun exposure – for any length of time – is beneficial,” stated Dr. Rigel. “The fact is, skin cancer is increasing at an alarming rate and scientific research confirms that our best defense is avoiding excessive, unprotected sun exposure.” Dr. Rigel addressed the following myths about vitamin D and sun exposure: Myth #1 – Sunscreen blocks Ultraviolet (UV) light. Consequently, UV radiation is prevented from reaching the skin, which leads to an inadequate amount of vitamin D in the body. Fact – A 1997 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute of patients with Xeroderma Pigmentosa (a disease that predisposes persons to skin cancer who are exposed to very low levels of ultraviolet radiation), showed that these patients have normal vitamin D levels despite negligible amounts of UV exposure. Myth #2 –A considerable amount of UV exposure is necessary to maintain normal levels of vitamin D. Fact – Normal vitamin D levels are maintained through a normal diet. Myth #3 – Sunscreen does not allow UV radiation to reach the skin, so if people wear sunscreen, their bodies can form vitamin D. Fact – Even the best sunscreen cannot block all UV radiation. But the amount that does hit the skin is enough to promote adequate vitamin D formation. Myth #4 – Skin cancer is not a serious disease, so sun protection is not important. Fact – One American dies every hour from melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Myth #5 – Low levels of Vitamin D lead to more cancers and other diseases. Fact – “There are no scientific studies that prove this statement,” explained Dr. Rigel. “The claim is based on a study that finds that overall cancer rates are higher in the northeast United States, a location with lower sunlight levels than many other places in the country. Those making this claim conclude that since the northeast has lower UV levels, this is the reason why cancer rates are higher in this region. However, several studies prove this theory is false. These include studies that show that cancer rates are low in the northern plain states (areas with the lowest UV levels in the country) and small regional studies (New York state), where cancer rates are highest in areas with industrial pollutants and are not related to sunlight levels.” “When we take a close look at these myths and evaluate the facts, the course of action is clear,” said Dr. Rigel. “Until there is science that tells us otherwise, it is imperative that people protect themselves from the sun. Anyone concerned about not getting enough vitamin D should either take a multivitamin or drink a few glasses of vitamin D-fortified milk every day. Given the fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared UV radiation as a known carcinogen, exposing oneself to it for the sake of vitamin D is not the answer.” The American Academy of Dermatology advises everyone to engage in the following sun protective practices: - avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- seek shade whenever possible.
- wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15.
- reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- wear sun-protective clothing.
About The Author Diana Clarke is a teacher and the founder and editor of The Sun and Your Skin at yourskinandsun.com. dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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How to Benefit from the Mind-Body Connection
(excerpt)
You are about to gain insight into the
mind-body connection. The number of
people who truly understand these principles on our
planet are relatively few.
There is an undeniable connection between our minds and
bodies, you can learn
to use this fact to your benefit.
Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and
Miracles" was once a
distraught cancer surgeon until he
began to understand the greater principles
of the mind-
body connection. He felt dragged down by the artificial
barriers
that existed between patient and doctor, and the
helplessness he often felt as
a result of his inability
to effectively serve those patients. Eventually, those
barriers
were disintegrated by Dr. Siegel's recognition
and growing understanding of the
mind-body connection and
how it could serve his patients and himself.
Dr. Siegel, or Bernie as he began to have his patients
refer to him, had some
startling realizations as a cancer surgeon. He found that
there were actually
quite a few people in the world that successfully beat
the statistics on cancer
survival. He began to recognize that a patient's ability
to defeat something as
serious as cancer had to do with the patient's mind and
attitude about their
disease.
If you would like to see the rest of
this article, please go here:
http://www.tobeinformed.com/repository/mind-body.html
copyright 2004 - David Snape
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