The British Government has officially adopted the Australian "Slip, Slop, Slap" Campaign, which promotes the use of sun-blocking preparations instead of taking care with exposure to the sun, in a misguided attempt to reduce the incidence of melanoma. They were conned by do-gooders in the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), who had tested only nine adults through one English summer before making erroneous assertions to the government which were then made official policy. The British Medical Association (BMA), normally recognised as the most conservative body in the world, is up in arms about this. They maintain that the average regular exposure to the sun of only hands and face is nowhere near enough to produce the quantities of Vitamin D that the body needs to stay healthy. Basically they are saying that people need to strip off and get in the sun, and acquire a good deep tan, but in sensible doses and at the right time of day. If you are interested, the following URL's will provide some good - and startling - reading. mhttp://www.healthresearchforum.org.uk/sunlight.html (good, a summary) www.healthresearchforum.org.uk/reports/sunlightrobbery.pdf (details, very wordy, the actual report by the Health Research Forum) www.news-medical.net/?id=3071 (incredible stuff - the reaction and action - "Copies of Sunlight Robbery have been sent to health ministers John Reid, Rosie Winterton, Melanie Johnson, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, ..." Confirms what I have been saying (on these groups) for quite a long time. Regards, Yours barely.
As with everything, balance, moderation, one's middle path, call it what you will. For each of us, our own appropriate amount of sun. Forgetting for the moment that I happen to be a sun worshiper, it just kills me to think that the advice I used to get from my grandmas (go outside for some fresh air and sunshine) is now bad for you. What kind of world is that? True, there are some dangers to sun exposure which should be taught to our kids, appropriate precautions taken, but it shouldn't be taught that no exposure is good for you. I think that's wrong, and is very sad. Thank you for your post. I hope, in this "all or nothing" world, people will consider this.
Most of the people who teach you that alot of sun exposure is bad are the fashion industry/media types that want you to buy and wear their clothes and live their lifestyle. Also the sunscreen people want you to think that the sun is bad so youll buy lots of their sunscreen. Its just a game with these people, they dont genuinely care for your saftey, theyre just out to make a buck and could care less if you get fried or not.
