By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer




Scientists are excited about a vitamin again. But unlike fads that sizzled and fizzled, the evidence this time is strong and keeps growing. If it bears out, it will challenge one of medicine's most fundamental beliefs: that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun. Doing that may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents, some researchers think.



The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen blocks its production, but dermatologists and health agencies have long preached that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer. Now some scientists are questioning that advice. The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer.

In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

Many people aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's hard to do from food and fortified milk alone, and supplements are problematic.

So the thinking is this: Even if too much sun leads to skin cancer, which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse.

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach. But many scientists believe that "safe sun" — 15 minutes or so a few times a week without sunscreen — is not only possible but helpful to health.


the rest of the story here ...

http://news.yahoo.com/new...e___cancer







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[Edited 5/23/05 6:12am]

The sun is our god.

if i spend too long in the sun i burn
i doubt this works with factor 50

I am not surprised; everything has to be carried out to extremes these days. A little bit of everything in moderation is my motto, always has, always will be.

I read another article recently regarding Vitamin D deficiency in kids, not related to cancer but still due to too much sun block.

We need the sun! The problem is that general public are too stupid and don't seem to understand moderation, everything has to be promoted in black and white.

Other e.g.s of things that we definitely shouldn't do but there is no evidence against moderate usage.

Drinking and pregnancy
Cannabis use
Lard sandwiches

Lard sandwiches

PREDOMINANT said:

now you have gotten me all hungry, I'm gonna have to go to my local sammich shop and get him to fix me up one of those beauties

Slash said:

In moderation now

Did you have Lard yesterday?

See what I mean, now everyone thinks lard sammiches are fine

According to scientists everything will give you cancer and everything will prevent cancer.

jayaredee said:

According to what the media decide to pick up on everything will give you cancer and everything will prevent cancer based on what "scientists" say.

PREDOMINANT said:

Does this mean I can lay out on the beach and chain smoke and chug coronas?

Tom said:

yes ... can i join you ?

The sun is our life and the reason for our existence. Treat the sun appropriately and it will shield you from harm forever.

Its all about moderation, but aint that the same with everything.


I get deep with this sun shyte so if you cant handle the topic, leave now or please chat with me about Amen Re...

Bring da knowledge

to be quite blunt, I have never believed any of this not in relation to just this but I cannot understand how people think that anything God creates can harm us, I have never accepted that, i think that what harms us is the fake, the artificial man made things like the things that are in fast food, and plastic surgery ( i am not talking life or death situations) or wanting 2 be more tan in a tanning bed, these beds are not safe they have ultraviolet rays that harm us cause they r fake, as does the microwave, I could go on but never mind..... think u get it lol
[Edited 5/24/05 6:03am]