Vitamin D Expert Fired for Recommending Sunshine

[Guest guest]

http://mercola.com/2004/may/12/sunshine_recommendations.htm

 

Vitamin D Expert Fired for Recommending Sunshine Dr. Michael F. Holick, a

professor at Boston University's medical school and a well-known researcher on

the topic of sunlight and vitamin D, was asked to resign from his position in

the dermatology department after the chairwoman of the department criticized his

conclusions.

Holick, author of the new book " The UV Advantage, " has spoken out about the

importance of sun exposure to boosting vitamin D levels and health. He says

there are substantial benefits of sunlight, including promoting strong bones and

easing depression, but public health officials have been portraying the sun as

the enemy for so long that they don’t want to hear any alternative conclusions.

 

But while the American Academy of Dermatology is calling Holick’s

recommendations of receiving adequate sun exposure for health benefits

“irresponsible,” other dermatologists say Holick, who has authored over 100

published papers, developed treatments for psoriasis and studied sunlight’s role

in vitamin D production, is extremely creative and “ahead of his time.”

 

While Holick says that sunburns make skin cancer more likely, he contends that

moderate sun exposure could reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancers,

based on epidemiological studies suggesting a lower incidence of those cancers

in sunnier climates. He also says a few minutes of sun exposure on bare skin

several times a week can help reduce the incidence of vitamin D deficiency,

which occurs often in northern cities where people don’t receive adequate sun

exposure during the winter months.

 

Although the resignation is largely symbolic--he will remain director of BU

Medical Center's Vitamin D lab while continuing to teach with no loss in

salary--Holick believes he is “being punished for challenging one of the dogmas

of dermatology.”

 

The Miami Herald April 15, 2004

 

 

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

I believe that Dr. Holick’s book, The UV Advantage, is an incredibly important

read for anyone interested in preventing numerous health problems and bettering

their health, but is even more essential for those who follow the “experts”

recommendations to stay out of the sun.

 

It is quite disturbing that Dr. Holick, one of the world's foremost authorities

on vitamin D, would be asked to resign when his recommendations are right on

target. It is the widespread recommendation from the “experts” to avoid sun

exposure that is causing harm. This myth has contributed to massive amounts of

disease and illness in our society because we ALL need sunshine to stay healthy.

 

If you are not yet aware of the importance of sun exposure to health--you should

still avoid getting sunburned, however--I encourage you to type “sun” into the

search engine in the upper right corner of this page. This will give you access

to numerous important articles on the topic.

 

And, if you are familiar with the issue and would like to let Dr. Gilchrest or

the dean of Boston University Medical School know what you think of Dr. Holick’s

resignation, their addresses are below (from the Vitamin D Council newsletter).

 

Barbara Gilchrest, MD

Chairwoman

Dermatology

Boston University School of Medicine

715 Albany St.

Boston, MA 02118

bgilchre

 

John F. McCahan, MD

Acting Dean

Boston University School of Medicine

715 Albany Street, L-103

Boston, MA 02118

jmccahan

 

Related Articles:

 

Learn How to Use the Sun to Stop Disease and Feel Great in " The UV Advantage

 

'Your Well-Being Depends on the Sun' and Other Great Tips From the Author of

" The UV Advantage "

 

The Six Top Health Myths

 

Sunlight Actually Prevents Cancer

 

Valuable Insights Into the Importance of Vitamin D and Sun

 

Sun Exposure Decreases Risk of MS

 

Sun Protects Against Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

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