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Researcher says to soak up a little sun
19.01.05
By DAVID EAMES
Contrary to popular belief, regular stints under the summer sun, without sunscreen, may be beneficial, says Auckland University researcher Robert Scragg.
He believes "pale people" need about 10 minutes a day in the sun without sunblock, and the darker-skinned - including Maori and Pacific Islanders - could stand at least 20 minutes.
The sun is a rich source of vitamin D, and just five minutes in the outdoors can provide up to 20 times the dose contained in a typical vitamin tablet, he says.
Dr Scragg, a researcher at the university's medical and health sciences school, believes low vitamin D levels can be a factor in a number of health conditions, including heart disease and strokes.
Maori and Pacific Islanders are susceptible to low vitamin D levels, and higher instances of related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, he says.
"Sunlight is responsible for 80 to 90 per cent of the vitamin D our bodies take in. So really, there isn't anything else we can do but get some sun."
The Cancer Society remains wary of the sun. Auckland health promotions manager Wendy Fulton says everyone, regardless of race, should stay in the shade during the danger hours of 11am to 4pm.
"Our recommendation is that over the summer months people be extremely careful because the risk of skin cancer and melanomas are very high.
"We acknowledge there is an issue about vitamin D, but people should be able to get enough vitamin D if outside in the sun outside of those high-risk times."
Wendy Fulton says anyone venturing out during the peak sunshine hours should cover up with sunscreen.
"We have to be very careful because Maori and Pacific Islanders can still get melanoma. We don't want anyone getting the idea that it is good to be out there getting sunburned."
Dr Scragg says people are unlikely to burn after 10 minutes' exposure to the sun, and burn-time estimates are based on "slight, minimal redness" of the skin.
"I am not encouraging people to spend hours in the sun, but there is strong and growing evidence that vitamin D can protect us from many diseases.
"As a species, we evolved in the sun. It is only in the past 100 years or so we have moved indoors."