You know the guidelines. Wear sunscreen, any time you are in the sun, for any amount of time. Wear hats and long sleeves. These advisories were for people living in high UV index areas-like near the equator. But in North America, where the sun isn’t so strong, it isn’t necessary, and may even be harmful.

Two recent studies from Sweden indicate that perhaps sunscreen is doing more harm than good. Women (30,000), in one study, were followed over 20 years. Women who avoided the sun had two times the risk of early death than women who received normal sun exposure. In the other study, sun exposure was associated with reduced cardiovascular death.

It is important to note, that these studies were observational. Correlation doesn’t equal causation. There were certainly variables that weren’t controlled for: such as diet!

But Vitamin D could be the answer. Sunscreen protects the skin from sun rays and therefore we don’t make the Vitamin D from the sun. This Vitamin has been associated with lower cancer risk, lower inflammation, less depression…the list goes on.

For a long time, as a dietitian, I have struggled with the Vitamin D vs Sunscreen debate. My answer has always been:

• put sunscreen on your face
• put sunscreen on areas that will get a lot of exposure (like shoulders)
• leave arms and legs alone-get your Vitamin D there.

photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net