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sheila I health Doctors and naturopaths now agree that a small amount of sun exposure may be vital in preventing a range of problems including low mood. Taking a health message too far can lead to other problems. HAPPY RAYS G one are the days when "fun in the sun" was a synonym for an evening spent dealing with a blistering nose and icepacks on the shoulders. The sun smart message has been a potent one. These days there would scarcely be a household, school or recreation centre in Western Australia that is not equipped with at least one bottle of sunscreen. and overall the benefits to public health have been immense, with reduced rates of skin cancer expected to continue to fall as entire generations are raised with the sun smart message. But there's a downside to a nation of slip slop slappers. Staggeringly, about half of the australian population is deficient in Vitamin D. According to naturopath Pam Zakostelsky when you take away sun exposure, you decrease opportunities for the absorption of Vitamin D. "Some people believe that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a range of diseases including influenza and there is a bit of evidence to suggest that it PROBLEM & RUN HEAD ON INTO THE NEXT" "Unfortunately in medicine WE CAN AVOID ONE is also linked to depression and mood imbalance and there is no question that vitamin D is absolutely vital in preventing osteoporosis," she says. "We also think children need it for healthy bone growth and to prevent rickets and other malformation." Pam says research has also shown that Vitamin D can help with recovery after heavy athletic sessions and it also helps improve endurance. "In general terms, osteoporosis aside, Vitamin D, helps to brighten our internal landscape," Pam says. "The dynamics of Vitamin D's role in our everyday nutrition seems so valuable to all age groups it should be on the top of the list." Prominent West Australian GP, Joe Kosterich says Vitamin D is a cross between a vitamin and a hormone and it has a number of functions in the body. "Unfortunately in medicine we can avoid one problem and run head on into the next. The slip slop slap message has been important, but with the body there is generally a right amount. Too much of something is a problem but too little is also a problem," Dr Joe says. And this seems to apply when it comes to sun exposure. SHEILA JULY 2012 75