You can be sun smart without increasing your osteoporosis risk

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-10-28 02:00

International

What does this mean?

Jump to: MultimediaAttachmentsExpert Reaction

Despite the role of vitamin D in preventing osteoporosis, those who keep themselves protected from the sun are just as likely to keep their bone density into older age, according to international research. The study used a US health survey to collect data on how frequently people wear long sleeves, stay in the shade and use sunscreen to protect themselves and compared that to their bone mineral density and the likelihood of developing spine fractures. The researchers say they found no evidence of lower bone mineral density in those who protected themselves more from the sun. Sun protection was even mildly associated with fewer osteoporotic fractures, but the researchers believe this could be explained by risk-averse behaviour.