he lost his job over this??

[shamrock_uk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3782577.stm

A US doctor has claimed warnings about getting skin cancer from the sun may have done more harm than good. Dr Michael Holick says we are missing out on essential vitamin D by staying out of the sun - and that causes thousands of deaths each year. However, his controversial views have cost him his job as Professor of Dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine. [snip] Dr Holick told the BBC Today programme: "What I am suggesting is sensible sun exposure. We are talking probably about no more than maybe three to five minutes to your hands, face and arms two to three times a week. "People don't realise that 90% - 95% of your vitamin D requirement comes from exposure from sunlight, and if you always wear sun block and never have direct sun exposure you will become vitamin D deficient, and at high risk of developing many serious chronic diseases." [snip]

The man was professor of dermatology, i think its fair to assume he knows what he's talking about. And three to five minutes, two or three times a week is hardly recommending you spend two hours in the midday sun every day.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

The primary point of the criticism centered around a book he published advocating moderate exposure to sunlight. The biggest point of contention is that he endorses uses sun-lamps or tanning beds to obtain this "moderate exposure" in addition to just going outside in the sunshine. There are also allegations that he has investments with the Indoor Tanning Industry that "influenced" his research results.

And the ones criticizing him are also doctors of dermatology, so it's fair to assume they also know what they are talking about.

But this is really much ado about nothing, because the only thing Dr. Holick actually lost was a title. His resignation is largely symbolic because he kept his position as Director of the Vitamin D lab at B.U. and he didn't lose ANY of his salary.

Here is a story from the Boston Globe that gives some more details on the subject B.U. Advocate of Sunlight Draws Ire

[Stratos]

Just take a brisk walk outside, you'll get moderate sun exposure as well as fresh air. Simple as that. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 06-07-2004, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ]