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I read this article a couple years ago and it definitely influenced my thoughts on the matter. I think this is yet another case of us collectively ignoring com

I read this article a couple years ago and it definitely influenced my thoughts on the matter. I think this is yet another case of us collectively ignoring common sense. We know that UV radiation is damaging to the skin and can cause skin cancer. Instead of rubbing chemicals on our skin to negate these effects, it is better to avoid being out in direct sunlight when the UV index is high, especially if you're super pale. If you have to go out at mid day for a decent length of time, wear a big hat and clothes that cover you up. I'm on the pale end of the spectrum and if I go out at say 2pm when the UV index is at 10 it'll be physically painful within a few minutes. However, when I go for my daily walks earlier in the day or later in the afternoon when the UV index is say 3-4, I go without sunscreen and feel great. And even though I supplement vitamin D, the effects of sunlight is clearly better. Also I think it is safe to imagine that most of our ancient ancestors weren't going out in the most intense sunlight and stripping close to naked for hours to develop a nice tan.

thenerdhead 4y ago
Our ancient ancestors such as those in Egypt would use the sun to fight off bilirubin with newborns by rotating them next to a sun-lit window. So yeah, common sense.
- drjasonharrison 4y ago
  Egyptian context: A glass free window. Modern context: UV light therapy for newborns.
mizzao 4y ago
This article set off a lightbulb as a possible explanation for the prevalence of osteoporosis in older Asian women. If the mechanism is: unfiltered sunlight -> Vitamin D production -> increased calcium absorption -> decreased risk of osteoporosis; then in many Asian cultures, the desire for women to have fair skin, cover up as much as possible, use sunscreen judiciously, and even use umbrellas when going outside; would certainly cause a Vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of osteoporosis by old age. Has anyone measured if this is possible?
wodenokoto 4y ago
Unless there exists some weird guideline that says “use sunscreen and go out in the strongest sunlight doing noon” I find your comment completely baffling. Sunscreen recommendations as I commonly encounter them are to stay out of the sun when it is strongest. It is to stay in shade when possible. It is that sunshine is healthy for producing vitamin D and for your general psychological well-being. But it is to also wear sunscreen and that you should protect yourself from UV even when outside in shade.
trashtester 4y ago
If most of your ancesters are from Sweden, and you go to Nigeria, you should probably avoid the sun most of the time, and use sunscreen whenever you have to spend time in the sun. If most of your ancestors are from Nigeria and you stay in Sweden, you should catch as much sun as you can, and still take vitamin D supplements. If you stay in a location where the bulk of your ancestors came from, you should probably be able to stay outside most of the time, as long as it is relativey constant from month to month. (Ie, anyone who stays inside all day for 11 months would have a risk of sunburn if they suddenly start spending all day on the beach in July without sunscreen.)
- bagacrap 4y ago
  It's much easier to get consistent outdoor time and exposure to sun in the tropics.
  - trashtester 4y ago
    Indeed, at least up to some temperature threshold. Personally, I start to struggle around 30-35 degrees C if the humidity is "tropical", and prefer an air conditioned room (or a pool/beach).

thenerdhead 4y ago

Our ancient ancestors such as those in Egypt would use the sun to fight off bilirubin with newborns by rotating them next to a sun-lit window. So yeah, common sense.

drjasonharrison 4y ago
Egyptian context: A glass free window. Modern context: UV light therapy for newborns.

mizzao 4y ago

This article set off a lightbulb as a possible explanation for the prevalence of osteoporosis in older Asian women. If the mechanism is: unfiltered sunlight -> Vitamin D production -> increased calcium absorption -> decreased risk of osteoporosis; then in many Asian cultures, the desire for women to have fair skin, cover up as much as possible, use sunscreen judiciously, and even use umbrellas when going outside; would certainly cause a Vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of osteoporosis by old age. Has anyone measured if this is possible?

wodenokoto 4y ago

Unless there exists some weird guideline that says “use sunscreen and go out in the strongest sunlight doing noon” I find your comment completely baffling. Sunscreen recommendations as I commonly encounter them are to stay out of the sun when it is strongest. It is to stay in shade when possible. It is that sunshine is healthy for producing vitamin D and for your general psychological well-being. But it is to also wear sunscreen and that you should protect yourself from UV even when outside in shade.

trashtester 4y ago

If most of your ancesters are from Sweden, and you go to Nigeria, you should probably avoid the sun most of the time, and use sunscreen whenever you have to spend time in the sun. If most of your ancestors are from Nigeria and you stay in Sweden, you should catch as much sun as you can, and still take vitamin D supplements. If you stay in a location where the bulk of your ancestors came from, you should probably be able to stay outside most of the time, as long as it is relativey constant from month to month. (Ie, anyone who stays inside all day for 11 months would have a risk of sunburn if they suddenly start spending all day on the beach in July without sunscreen.)

bagacrap 4y ago
It's much easier to get consistent outdoor time and exposure to sun in the tropics.
- trashtester 4y ago
  Indeed, at least up to some temperature threshold. Personally, I start to struggle around 30-35 degrees C if the humidity is "tropical", and prefer an air conditioned room (or a pool/beach).