SUN SENSE Is the sun good or bad for us? It can be both. Sunlight is our main source of Vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones. Low levels are linked to conditions like osteoporosis (brittle bones) and there’s evidence that Vitamin D may also help to protect us from getting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other chronic diseases. BUT exposure to sunlight is also the main cause of skin cancer. It can age skin prematurely and is a major cause of wrinkles. Farming is particularly risky because of the long hours spent working outside and exposed to sunlight. So how can you enjoy the sun safely? The two key things to remember are: >> Little and often is best >> Never burn This is even more important if you have fair skin that burns easily, light-coloured eyes or lots of moles or freckles. A lot of sun exposure occurs in childhood, so parents need to think about their children’s exposure too.
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Keep sunscreen handy so you’re never caught out by the sun.
