There was a time when children played outdoors. Not only did they go outside for recess, but they spent long summer days and many afternoons during the school year playing in the backyard or on the playground.
In those days, there were few fears about abduction, so parents didn’t worry about supervising their kids’ play. There also weren’t good sunscreens, so children frequently were tanned by the end of the summer.
Nowadays, many children spend most of their time indoors. Physical education classes have been trimmed in many schools for budgetary reasons. Television, video games and loads of homework keep many children busy inside after school.
Even children who play organized sports such as soccer, swimming or tennis are loaded up with high SPF sunscreen before they go outside. Such products are helpful in preventing sunburn and possibly future skin cancer. They may, however, be responsible in part for a growing dearth of vitamin D in children and adolescents. Sunscreens block the formation of this nutrient by the skin.
A review of 14 studies found that vitamin D insufficiency was widespread in American children (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, June, 2008). Research published in the same issue of the journal showed that 12 percent of otherwise healthy babies and toddlers in the Boston area were deficient in vitamin D.
In Brooklyn, New York, more than half of the overweight children and adolescents studied had inadequate levels of vitamin D (Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, July, 2007).
Vitamin D is crucial for strong bones. At the turn of the 20th century, deficiency of this nutrient frequently resulted in rickets (malformation of bones). Most health professionals believed that this condition had been eliminated through vitamin supplementation. But over the last couple of decades, pediatricians have noted a growing number of cases (Pediatrics, Aug, 2008).
Children are not the only ones at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Many adults also have low levels of the vitamin. This may increase their risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis and depression. People with inadequate vitamin D in their bodies appear to be more prone to many cancers.
We interviewed two of the country’s leading experts on vitamin D, Dr. Michael Holick and Dr. James Dowd, on our radio show. A one-hour CD is available.
Perhaps it is time for both parents and children to get a little more sun exposure, without overdoing it. Experts suggest that 10 to 15 minutes of sun three or four times a week can improve vitamin D levels in the body.
When that is impractical, either because of nasty weather or indoor activities, vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate levels of this essential nutrient.
7/17/17 redirected to : https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/how-can-you-protect-your-nose-from-sunburn/
