On Mon, 17 Jun 2002 11:30:11 -0500, Jo Webb <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >the main source of vitamin D is sunlight, >and it seems likely that paleolithic people spent a lot of time in the sun. >But these days we have a hole in the ozone layer and it seems that under >these new circumstances the sun does harm as well as good. If we believe >the warnings and wear sunscreens, it may be necessary to take extra vitamin >D as a supplement to get back to the same level as the paleolithic people. >So the things we put on our bodies may affect our nutritional requirements. You might want to read Chapter 10 of The Protein Power LifePlan -- a whole chapter on our need for sunshine. But their main points: * you need to add sun to the diet * sunblocks are false protection and prevent you from getting what you need from the sun * you should build up sun tan base very gradually and limit exposure as needed * vitamin D supplements can be toxic and cannot be absorbed properly -- avoid them * sunbath with clean skin - no lotions * sunbath all year long (they live in CO and sunbath on a deck in winter when the sun is out) Philip Thrift