Summer
Do’s and Don’ts
WRITTEN BY Nancy Palermo Lietz, MD
Don’t Put on Sunscreen…
At least for the first 20 minutes you are in the sun. Vitamin D deficiency is com-
mon with over 80 percent of Americans being deficient. This is a result of our
overreaction to the risk of skin cancer with sun exposure. Vitamin D is important
for adequate immune function and control of inflammation, neurological and car-
diovascular function, bone-building, fighting depression and most importantly,
fighting and preventing many kinds of cancer. The body produces Vitamin D with
exposure to the sun, and sunscreen blocks this process. UVB rays (not UVA rays
which lead to aging and skin cancer) are responsible for stimulating the process
of Vitamin D production and only hit the body during the peak hours of the day.
Your body can make up to 15,000 IUs of Vitamin D in 20 minutes of exposure, espe-
cially when there are large amounts of unprotected bare skin. Once you reach this
amount of time, cover up or put on a safe, chemical-free sunscreen for protection.
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