COMMENTARY

Sunbathe or sunblock?

Thursday,  February 2, 2006

Sunshine is one of Cayman’s finest attributes and the foremost reason many choose to live here. While we all love bright sunny days and the glow of a natural tan, most have a contentious relationship with the sun.

Logic reminds us of sunblock, protective clothing, and limiting exposure. Instant gratification conjures images of a great tan, swimming in the crystal blue sea, and bathing in the sun’s rays without worries of premature aging or cancer.

As one who loves to feel gratified, it is nice to know that a reasonable amount of unprotected sun exposure generates Vitamin D, which is recommended to prevent a range of health problems, including diabetes, gum disease, multiple sclerosis, and tooth loss.

The body creates Vitamin D when a cholesterol-like substance in the skin absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) energy.

While scientists have long known that Vitamin D is essential to strong bones and preventing rickets in children (hence fortified milk), recent evidence also shows strong links between Vitamin D deficiency and an array of debilitating conditions.

Leg weakness, a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency may be reduced through supplementation or increased sun exposure, according to a study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (2/03) which showed that increased Vitamin D improved leg strength and reduced falls among elderly females.

The protective effect of Vitamin D against Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was recently reported by Munger and colleagues from the Harvard School of Public Health (Neurology 1/06). In addition to MS, other autoimmune problems are linked to Vitamin D deficiency, including inflammation, which causes gum disease and tooth loss.

Low levels of Vitamin D are also associated with impaired insulin production and sensitivity which causes type 2 diabetes. (5/05 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). 

Despite our abundance of sunshine, type 2 diabetes is rapidly rising among Caymanians and throughout the Caribbean.

Sufficient Vitamin D is associated with insulin regulation and can be achieved through adequate sun exposure, nutritional intake, or a combination of both.

Depending on proximity to the equator, thirty minutes of sun exposure can generate up to 10,000 to 12,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D and the recommended daily intake can be achieved after just a few minutes of sun bathing. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies recommends 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day from infancy through age 50, and 400 IU daily between ages 51 through 70 years. Melanin, which protects darker skinned people from damaging UV rays also slows Vitamin D production from the sun and requires more exposure time.

Though multiple factors contribute to the development of diabetes, it should be noted that the incidence of this disease is greater among darker skinned people who require more time in the sun to produce an adequate amount of Vitamin D.

Sun screen blocks the production of Vitamin D, so sunbathing aimed at increased Vitamin D must be unprotected. 

In addition to the physical benefits of living in the sunshine, let’s not forget all the psychological and emotional rewards of Cayman’s bright climate. Depression, suicides, and angry people are highest in regions with cloudy skies, and cold, drab weather. I remember long, cold winters in New York when extended lack of sunshine brought out the worst in everyone. The same person who appeared to be an angel in Spring came across as an aggressive monster in mid-winter. To a milder extent, Cayman experiences a similar change in attitude during long hauls of rainy grey skies, such as the three weeks or so that surrounded Hurricane Wilma. Drivers are more aggressive during rainy season, people are more closed-off, survival mode is on and neighborly love is out.

I remember a particularly strong storm hit during a Friday afternoon just after Wilma’s effects calmed down. I was hosting an international visitor, explaining that Cayman was a united, polite community always respectful of our neighbors.

While driving from the airport on West Bay during rush hour, a group of teenage girls packed into a car jolted in front of me without warning, began to curse wildly and threatened physical violence through their back window in the midst of a traffic jam. Shortly thereafter, I encountered the same young ladies in broad daylight and asked them to describe their problem. They responded with an innocent giggle, mumbled an apology, and walked away with remorse in their eyes.

Most will agree, it’s easier to be upset in bad weather and it’s easier to be happy when the sun is shining. There is even a medical diagnosis for this condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Some therapists prescribe increased sun exposure to patients with SAD and a common treatment involves changing all indoor light bulbs to specialty bulbs that simulate natural sunlight. Other therapists recommend a vacation to the Cayman Islands or a different sunny paradise.

In addition to being happier, sun exposure may protect from a range of autoimmune problems linked to Vitamin D deficiency, such as type 2 diabetes, and issues related to bone weakness.

While it is true that excessive sun exposure may cause skin cancer, a reasonable amount of unprotected sun bathing has been shown to be beneficial.

Next time you’re having fun on the beach and realize you forgot your sunscreen, relax and enjoy some instant gratification. Think about the Vitamin D your body is producing and bask in the sun for a while before asking a friend to borrow some sunblock. Because Cayman sunshine IS good for your health – but like all good things that don’t turn bad – only in moderation.

    Back...