Loading ...- Category:
- Body
- Author:
- Sunny Burns
- Posted:
- Wednesday, 8 October 2008
For decades experts have preached the anti-sun message, but many have failed to mention the sun’s importance to the body. Last summer was one of the coldest, which experts say could be a risk factor contributing to a vitamin D deficiency.
Each year millions of Australians are exposing themselves to osteoporosis, depression, cancers, diabetes and obesity by failing to get enough vitamin D -” but that doesn’t mean you should get outside and burn yourself to a crisp.
But at the same time this doesn’t mean now to go out in the sun and get burnt.It’s all about moderation, tanning expert Fiona Gamble from Soleil Tanning said.
Vitamin D The underrated hormone is produced by your skin in response to exposure to UV radiation from natural sunlight.
Experts say that two in three people don’t get enough sun, claiming -˜Slip, Slop and Slap’ has gone too far, Gamble said.
It’s not only about getting a tan, it’s about getting vitamin D. If you don’t have time to get out in the sun I would advise you to visit a solarium.
There are numerous studies now championing the need for vitamin D -” 90 percent of your vitamin D intake is absorbed through your skin.
We had such a bad summer and lots of people haven’t had the vitamin D they need, Gamble said.
Solariums were made to mimic the sun. When solariums were invented nearly 100 years ago, they were used to cure children of rickets. It is a bit ironic that we are starting to hear of cases of rickets in children again.
If you choose to use a solarium it is important to be careful as overuse can have severe side effects.
Gamble said it’s best to choose ones with smart tan accreditation compared to self-service ones, which are likely to be banned under new government guidelines being considered.
We do not tan people under 18 years of age or let people tan every day, she said. We offer spray tans to very fair people -” these regulations will help clean up our industry.
Before you go into a solarium it’s best that the assistant gives you a skin analysis and has an understanding of your skin history. It’s also important that the salon moderates your usage.
A recent article in Tanning Trends magazine stated, There is no actual data substantively linking indoor tanning equipment with an increased risk of melanoma.
Associate Professor Michael G. Kimlin from the Australian Sun and Health Research Laboratory said the main source of vitamin D is through diet, dietary supplements and through exposure to sunlight. He did not comment on the usage of solariums.
Vitamin D is very important for many functions in the body. However, its main role is maintaining bone health through the aiding of absorption of calcium, he said.
We know very little. However, there is some evidence to suggestion that certain groups of the population do have a low vitamin D status.
The Cancer Council’s position statement says solariums emit UVA and UVB radiation, both known causes of skin cancer, and that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources is a public health concern.
It also states that in 2006 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) convened an international working group that assessed the evidence relating to health effects, both positive and detrimental, of exposure to artificial UV radiation through the use of indoor tanning facilities.
There was no conclusive evidence found in regard to a relationship between basal cell carcinoma and solarium use but there is an increase in melanoma risk associated with use of sunbeds.
info: For more details on solariums and their effects on the body, go to the Cancer Council NSW website at www.cancercouncil.com.au. If you want to get a tan this summer and you’re not sure about using a solarium, get a spray tan instead. For all your tanning needs, visit Fiona Gamble at her Soleil Tanning salons. Visit her website on www.soleil.com.au.
Tags: Body, Cancer Council, suntan, vitamin D
December 2nd, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Vitamin D deficiencies ? !
In Australia we recieve enough vitamin D even when we are clothed, wearing sunscreen and hat and remain in the shade. All that is required is that people spend some time outdoors each week .
If your that concerned about vitamin D deficiency then take a supplement .
Alternatively drink a milk product with vitamin D already in it .
Chocolate has plenty of vitamin D in it too . 2 Fredo Frogs per week has plenty of vitamin D.
Oz has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world . Please dont advocate more sun exposure .
There are other cause for Ricketts besides lack of vitamin D . . .such as low milk consumption, unbalanced diet, low calcium absorbtion due to gastrointestinal disturbances, genetic factors such as dysfunctional enzyme production and T-protien cell uptake . Those with genuine cause for concern about vitamin D or Ricketts or any of the many related disorders should talk to their G.P and not pay much attention to the advocates of increased sun exposure .
Hehehe being outside on a sunny day makes us feel good but thats another side effect of sunshine on the body and brain .
Solar Radiation absorbed by the skin remains in the body for the rest of your life and can haunt you many years later through potentially fatal skin cancer.
Have a happy and safe Summer everyone and please take appropiate steps to guard your health against skin cancer .
Michael . Inner West.
December 2nd, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Solariums ?!
For many of us who have grieved over the loss of a loved one from sun cancer the word Solarium evokes painful memories.
Solariums are quickly becoming synonymous with disease and death .
No qualified doctor will advocate the use of Solariums.
Promotional literature and advertising of solariums have at there core the need to make a profit . The dollars they can make from unwary customers is more important them than your long term health.
Many sunloving World War 2 Australian military men and women were offered by the military the use of solariums in the U.K . They found out decades later that the death rate from skin cancer amongst these brave hero’s of our nation was very high.
Solariums in Australia are easily regarded as death traps.
Be wise with sun exposure and come to terms with your skins complexion and skin colour. Im glad we now live in an era where a persons health and appearance is not judged accurately by their tan ! ! !
Michael. Inner West.
December 9th, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
He is. Our bodies are somewhat complex and balance is always something to be concerned about. When our optic nerves and skin sense sunlight – we start to produce a range of anti-cancerous substances, it is wearing sunglasses and sunblock all year long what causes Australians to compromise this balance and get skin cancer (although it’s highly speculative in itself and isn’t supported by sociological data).
April 27th, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
Are you seriously advising people to go to Solarium’s!!???
April 27th, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
This article should be deleted. You are promoting unsafe practices!!
September 5th, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
This is appalling! Solariums are not safe! Regular solarium use can increase an individuals risk of skin cancer by 75%. In Australia one in two people are diagnosed with skin cancer. People don’t take this disease seriously enough. It is considered a preventable disease and look at the statistics!! There is not nearly enough awareness of the dangers of solarium use! The UV rays emitted by solariums are up to five times stronger than the midday Australian summer sun! UVA and UVB radiation causes cancer. In Australia we easily get enough vitamin D from day to day activities and if someone is deficient they can consult their GP and arrange a diet which helps them achieve sufficient levels.