Evidence continues to mount in support of the obvious link between vitamin D and getting the right amount of sunshine so the body can naturally produce it. And unlike other medical fads that boomed and bombed, this evidence is strong and keeps growing.

In fact, the concept questions the longstanding conventional belief that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun.

The "Sunshine Vitamin"

Vitamin D bears the nickname the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin produces it from ultraviolet rays. Researchers believe slapping on sunscreen may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents as doing so blocks this vital vitamin production.

Thus, while dermatologists and health agencies have long touted that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer, some scientists are now challenging that advice. Their main argument: Vitamin D is important for preventing and treating many types of cancer; studies have found it helped protect against lymphoma, as well as cancers of the:

• Prostate
• Lung
• Skin
• Colon

In fact, one Harvard professor offered such compelling evidence in a recent study -- vitamin D may prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer -- that the American Cancer Society is now reconsidering its own sun guidelines.

Getting Enough Sunshine

Many people struggle with getting enough vitamin D. Many scientists believe 15 minutes or so a few times a week of "safe sun" (void of sunscreen) is both achievable and healthful. However, the lack of consensus on how much vitamin D is needed, along with the optimal way to get it, still remains.

Why? Because even with sunshine recommendations, the amount needed would depend on, among other factors, the:

• Season
• Skin color
• Time of day
• Location a person lives in

Researchers are concerned that people -- after hearing the health benefits of reaping sunshine -- may overdo it. Therefore, experts recommend moderation with sun exposure until more evidence is presented.

USA Today May 21, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Thankfully, for most of us the sun is now available and we can actually start getting healthy exposure. The seemingly obvious link between sunshine, vitamin D and your health appears to finally be attracting mainstream media attention. We're still a step behind, though, as they should also be informing you of the potential dangers of sunscreens. The beneficial effects that vitamin D can provide are nothing short of amazing. So much so that optimizing your sun exposure and secondarily the levels of vitamin D in your body may, indeed, be one of the most crucial steps you can take in support of your long-term health. When doing so, it is important to remember this crucial point: If you use the sun to get vitamin D, you really don't have to worry about measuring your vitamin D levels, as sunlight will actually destroy excess vitamin D. It is very difficult to overdose on vitamin D from sun exposure. So please be sure and get outside regularly -- that is the key. Take some time for yourself and work up to the point where you get one hour of sun on your skin every day it is possible. I can assure you that I consider this a critical part of my health program and seek to get in to work around 5 a.m. so I can leave early and read out in the sunshine. Please remember that, in nearly every circumstance, getting your vitamin D by exposing your body to UV light from the sun is the best option. When doing so, however, there are two extremely important points to remember: Stay away from tanning beds, as they increase your risk of cancer. Never stay in the sun for long enough to burn your skin. At the beginning of the season, limit your exposure to perhaps as little as five to 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase your time in the sun so that in a few weeks, you will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer. Related Articles: Sun Protects Against Cancer Trash Your Sunscreen and Other Summer Sun Tips The Secret of Vitamin D Production