September 16, 2004

the importance of vitamin D for human health

Speakers:
Dr Birgit Teucher, Institute of Food Research, Norwich
Prof Graham Bentham, Professor of Environemtal sciences, University of East Anglia
Prof Brian Wharton, Paediatrician and Honorary Professor, University College London
Dr Barbara Boucher, Honorary senior lecturer, Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic

There is unequivocal evidence of serious, adverse effects from over exposure to sunlight in terms of skin cancers and cataracts, but there is also accumulating evidence that sunlight exposure, acting via its role in vitamin D synthesis, can protect against certain diseases. Experts discuss whether this raises a dilemma between the risks of sunlight exposure against its benefits or whether we can safely obtain all the Vitamin D we need.