-- From Saturday's Globe and Mail -- Those studying the vitamin say the hide-from-sunlight advice has amounted to the health equivalent of a foolish poker trade.Just something to consider the next time you hear Al Gore, or Saint David Suzuki spouting apocalyptic warnings... without providing a shred of scientific evidence to back it up.
Anyone practicing sun avoidance has traded the benefit of a reduced risk of skin cancer — which is easy to detect and treat and seldom fatal — for an increased risk of the scary, high-body-count cancers, such as breast, prostate and colon, that appear linked to vitamin D shortages.
"Fifteen hundred Americans die every year from skin cancers."
"Fifteen hundred Americans die every day from the serious cancers."
RELATED: Didn't expect this either, huh?
The researchers are quick to stress their report doesn't advocate ripping out carpets of trees.
What it does suggest, said study supporter and University of Toronto professor Danny Harvey, is that a "loophole" in the Kyoto Protocol which allows countries to use reforestation to offset their carbon emissions is seriously flawed.
"I would say to every politician, protect forestry, but don't try to claim credit," said the professor of climatology. "I am absolutely strongly in favour of planting forests for ecological reasons, biodiversity and for its beauty."
"But don't claim climate credit for it."
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