Study finds UVB lights boosts vitamin D levels and clears psoriasis

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14 year old Ryan McLaughlin succeeds with his vitamin D campaign in Scotland

BBC News reports on the success of 14 year old Ryan McLaughlin, in drawing the attention of the Scottish government to the "urgent need" to provide information to all health professionals who work with pregnant women and young children about current guidance on vitamin D.

"Ryan became the face of a YouTube campaign to publicise the use of vitamin D, and led hundreds of supporters down Edinburgh's Royal Mile to Holyrood before he put his proposals to the petitions committee in June.

He told MSPs research into the genetic effect of vitamin D deficiency showed a link to the development of MS. Vitamin D, which the body needs for healthy, strong bones is largely gained through sunlight and food."

Living in Scotland tends to result in extreme Vitamin D deficiency because of chronic lack of sunlight. While deficiency in the UK is widespread the situation in Scotland is worse than for the rest of the country. Scotland receives 30-50% less ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun than the rest of the UK owing to its high latitude and persistent low cloud cover.

Scotland is thought to have the highest rate of MS in the world.

Almost half of all new suncreams do not offer protection against harmful UVA rays, a new study has shown.

Almost half of new suncreens 'do not offer protection against harmful rays'
Article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"Although the vast majority protect against UVB rays, which cause the skin to burn, many do not shield against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and are responsible for aging.

Scientists have shown that both forms of sunray can lead to skin cancer.

Mintel, the market research firm, looked at more than 750 suncreams launched across Europe in 2007.

It found that fewer than half offered protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

The majority were missing UVA protection, the company found.

Products display their level of protection against UVB rays in the sun protection factor (SPF) number listed on the bottle.

But this "factor" does not shield against dangerous UVA rays.

Instead suncreams which also screen wearers from UVA show their level of protection through a star rating system.

Last night experts warned consumers to ensure that the suncream they bought offered both forms of protection."

You can also reduce skin damage/aging by cutting down on salt and salty food.

Many sunbeds emit dangerous levels of cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation.

Warning over the rising risk of sunbeds - Sunday Telegraph

Extract:

"Sunbed users are being warned that four out of five of the devices emit dangerous levels of cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation.

More than 80 per cent of sunbeds transmit UVB, the most damaging type of UV ray, at levels above European and British standards, a study has found. Researchers discovered a huge rise in sunbed use and a growing danger linked to the use of increasingly high-strength, stand-up booths and sunbeds.

The number of private sunbeds rose by 30 per cent from 1997 to 2005, according to the study in the British Journal of Dermatology.

The study, which compared the use of sunbeds in parts of Scotland in 1997 and 2005, showed a big increase in health risks. While the 1997 study showed the cancer risk to be equal to the UK summer sun, the average unit now carries the same risk as the midday Mediterranean sun.

Users were ignorant of the risks. Asked about the dangers of sunbeds, almost half did not cite skin cancer.

Last month, a mother of two children, died from skin cancer after using a sunbed twice a day for seven years. Zita Farrelly, from Salford, died at 29, three days after her daughter's first birthday."