Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?

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I also saw a piece onthe news that said you should not put your sunglasses on for at least 15 minutes when you go out into the sun. You eyes send a message to your body to produce some protection from the sun naturally. It does not mean you should not where sunscreen. It just turns on your natural defenses.

Barbara of NY 9:46AM June 24, 2008

1- Why so angry?
2- Data beats opinion...While it's nice you "knew" this all along, you did not create a study which results showed: *10 minutes a day* in the sun can provide a human with 10,000 units of vitamin D-- a proper amount. But let me guess- you *knew* 10 minutes was the proper amount all along, right?
3- Why name call? You don't make yourself sound like the self proclaimed "intellectual" you are...oll

Benny of NY 9:18AM June 24, 2008

I think this is a double edged sword. On one side it is great news to hear that we can all fight certain types of disease to our bodies if we act responsibly and get a few minutes outdoors to soak in some UV/B and get our Vit D levels up. On the other side however is the much dreaded indoor tanning industry. MARK MY WORDS that these bozos and profit whores will utilize this article in their propaganda to try and get the masses indoors to tan during the winter time. This is not good and here is why:
The folks in that industry will lead us all to believe that we can get the needed UV/B during those winter months by going and spending money in their parlors several times a week. The problem with this is that the amount of UV needed is going to be well overdone if anyone was to listen to the sales pitch of the indoor folks. You could get what you need from an indoor bed with one 20 minutes session but you will be sold into "unlimited monthly" sessions and be encouraged to come 12 times that amount in that monthly time period. This is where the cancer factor comes into play; the indoor folks will overdo you and harm you. Studies need to be released and facts need to be given to really show how much time is needed indoors to get the comparable outdoor dose of Vit D. If these types of facts are given to the general public than these wielders of skin cancer and death could be curbed and everyone could be satisfied medically speaking without being overdone. Sure, let all those teen agers go and fry their skin to a nice leathery look and feel all they want to. Those kids are so easily influenced that there is no saving them. Mom and Dad don't know best, the blond behind the counter at the parlor does. So the youth of this country are screwed and will continue to have increased numbers in Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. But the adults who will listen need to take heed and be very careful of the message that will put out by the indoor folks due to this article and others like it.

Xfnreporter of DC 9:09AM June 24, 2008

I have known this for years! How can the one thing that gives us life (the sun) be so deadly and destructive as all the public health freaks have said for years? It never made sense to me, and it feels great to once again have been so far ahead intellectually than all the pin-headed "experts" out there.

Jason of TX 8:55AM June 24, 2008

My swimming pool is enclosed by plastic screening. Does the screening block UV rays?

Howard Cadaret of SC 7:56AM June 24, 2008

My grandmothers hands use to burn very bad from driving she had to wear gloves in the summer while driving. They got so bad the Dr. had to give her a cream to put on so they would heal.

of MN 7:42AM June 24, 2008

And once again, the glorified witch doctors of the medical community have been caught with their pants down after spreading bad advice (for years). Northern Europeans evolved to have light colored skin (low melanin density) for a damn good reason- to maximize vitamin D production in the nothern latitudes. The medical community responded to a rise in skin cancers with their patented knee-jerk reaction without researching further than the ends of their stuck-up noses, i.e. "the Doctor knows all". Not even close, bozos!

Truth Teller of DE 7:41AM June 24, 2008

If UV rays don't penetrate glass, then why do some glasses manufacturers make such a big point of their glasses blocking UV rays? Something's wrong with this picture!

John Smith of VA 7:29AM June 24, 2008

I believe you cannot tan through glass but you can still be exposed to UV rays though glass that doesn't block them. I'm not sure what kind or now much but I recall an article about skin cancer finding far more cancers on the left side of the face and arm of American truck drivers due to the length of time spent driving and the side windows of the cab not blocking UV rays.

Kim of VA 7:21AM June 24, 2008