Let the sun shine in!

The sun has finally come out from under the clouds where it's been for the last decade, benefiting no one but manufacturers of sun blocks (scheduled for release this summer is block 99, guaranteed to turn you pale!). New research by Dr. Michael F. Holick, Boston University School of Medicine, confirms what your mother always told you-you need sunshine to build strong bones.

Maybe she didn't know all about the other effects of vitamin D, but Dr. Holick does, and tells you that neither food nor supplement can provide the bone-building boost that exposing yourself to the sun does. What else is the sun good for? Giving you a glow even a mother can love, of course, but also-and Dr. Holick has evidence to prove it-giving you protection against cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, ovary, bladder, uterus, esophagus, rectum and stomach.

You want more? OK, the sun even lowers your blood pressure and improves your mood. To avoid the risk of skin cancer, the experts recommend moderate exposure (depending on skin type and geographic location). So don't dump those sun blocks just yet and maybe invest in a Sunshine Detection Lens, which will replace Mom telling you to Cover Up Before You Get a Sun Stroke!

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