The UV Advantage

Sunshine is good for you! While too much sun causes wrinkles and raises other health concerns, a lack of sun exposure, our primary source of vitamin D can cause serious health problems, such as osteoporosis, certain cancers, and diabetes. Dr. Holick, the discoverer of the active form of vitamin D, has pulled together an impressive body of evidence in support that no one should be-as he puts it- a sunphobe, or, for that matter, a sun worshipper. His conclusion: relatively brief, but unfettered exposure to sunshine and its equivalent can help to ward off a host of debilitating and sometimes deadly diseases, including osteoporosis, cancers of the colon, prostate and breast, hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression. Recent studies indicate a positive effect fighting off flu viruses. Review "Can sunshine, now shunned by so many who fear skin cancer and wrinkles, save many more lives than in harms? Most definately, says the leading expert in the field, Dr. Michael F. Holick, a professor of medicine, dermatology, physiology and biophysics at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Holick, who discovered the active form of Vitamin D, has pulled together an impressive body of evidence in support of his advice that no one should be, as he puts it, a "sunphone," or for that matter, a sun worshiper. Dr. Holick elaborates on these ideas in an important book (to be published) , written with Mark Jenkins, a health writer. People should have the opportunity to benefit from the doctor's insights without further delay." About the Author During the past 25 years, Dr. Holick has looked at not only how vitamin D is made in the skin during sun exposure to sunlight, but has also provided global recognition for how sunlight exposure is important to bone health. He has pioneered the use of activated vitamin D compounds for the treatment of psoriases, considered to be the treatment of choice for this common skin disorder.