The Truth About Sun Exposure

Fear of skin cancer has caused increasingly more elderly to stay indoors rather than to enjoy the warm sunshine. Even though it is important to protect against the sun's harmful rays, staying indoors should not be the answer. A recent article from BBC News addressed an in depth study that show many of the far-reaching negative consequences to a primarily indoor lifestyle, which from the findings, seems to be just as harmful as an outdoor lifestyle without proper sun protection.


The article addressed how many older people lack Vitamin D, an essential vitamin that's primarily generated through direct sun exposure with the skin. Deficiencies in this vitamin are linked to metabolic syndrome that are closely connected with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also reiterates those findings, through another study undertaken focused on middle-aged and older women. To reduce the risk of these diseases only requires a dose of daily sunshine. Luckily the body begins vitamin D formation before burning occurs, so moderate sun exposure can help keep your heart and blood healthy without increasing your risks of skin cancer.


An additional plight that the elderly face, is that their bodies' ability to form vitamin D is reduced in the aging process. Dr. Oscar Franco stated that,

"As we get older our skin is less efficient at forming vitamin D and our diet may also become less varied, with a lower natural vitamin D content.
"When we are older we may need to spend more time outdoors to stimulate the same levels of vitamin D we had when we were younger."

The solution? Throw on some sunscreen, a T-shirt, and shorts and go get some fresh air!

Remember that direct sunlight-skin contact is key in helping the body create it's essential Vitamin D reserves. Also, as Dr. Franco pointed out and as the National Institute of Health explains, Vitamin D is not just acquired through sun exposure, there are certain foods that contain Vitamin D as well; consequently, eating foods like eggs, oily fishes, cheese, and beef liver, or taking *supplements, can also increase Vitamin D levels.


*Supplements are useful, but it is always a good idea to consult your personal physician before adding them to your diet.