Sun is good for you in moderation

16th December 2010 - UK dermatologists and health charities have issued a joint statement on the benefits of getting vitamin D from the sun. There were concerns too many people were covering up and staying in the shade to protect against skin cancer and missing out on the vitamin, essential for bone health.

The statement comes from Cancer Research UK, the British Association of Dermatologists, Diabetes UK, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Heart Forum, the National Osteoporosis Society and the Primary Care Dermatology Society.

The statement

The statement says Vitamin D is essential for good bone health and for most people sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D.

The experts say the time required to make enough vitamin D varies from person to person - according to a number of environmental, physical and personal factors. However, typically this is short and less than the time it takes for skin to go red and burn.

Enjoying the sun safely, while taking care not to burn, can help to provide the benefits of vitamin D without unduly raising the risk of skin cancer, the statement says.

The experts admit it is not yet known how much sunlight different people need to achieve a given level of vitamin D, or whether it protects against chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Trade-off

Cancer Research UK says there’s a trade-off between under and over exposure. Under exposure and vitamin D deficiency is linked to bone conditions such as rickets in children; over exposure is linked to skin cancer, including melanoma.

The group says vitamin D rich food may be helpful in the winter when there’s less sunlight, but does not favour food fortification or widespread vitamin D supplementation for the general population due to a lack of evidence about effectiveness - and possible harm.

In a statement, Ed Yong, head of health information and evidence at Cancer Research UK, says: "This joint consensus statement brings together the latest evidence on vitamin D.

"In representing the unified views of many different organisations, we hope to provide some clarity around this important but controversial issue. It is encouraging that our stance agrees with that of other international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation and the US Institute of Medicine.

"Avoiding sunburn still remains the most important thing people can do to protect themselves against developing skin cancer.

"While some sunshine is good for us and vitamin D is important for good bone health, the evidence suggesting that vitamin D protects against other disease such as cancer or heart disease is inconclusive.

"By enjoying the sun safely, people can make enough vitamin D without increasing their risk of skin cancer."