Can sunbathing cut heart attack and stroke risks?

[Chris_Peters]

Little proof sunbathing cuts heart attack risk. NHS Behind the Headlines has a neat summary showing the science behind the news stories this week.

nhs.uk/news/2014/01January/...

[Morphix]

Sunbathing certainly makes you feel good and has a positive mental effect, even if technically it is damaging to the skin. Just look at people who suffer from SAD or seasonal depression..they respond well to sun-lamps or sunlight. We also need sunlight to properly absorb vitamin D too.

One factor over-looked in strokes and heart attacks is stress. Stress is more prevalent today in modern society than in the past, both in the workplace and in the home, as we're constantly bombarded by things and find it hard to 'switch off' mentally. People who don't handle stress well and have it constantly may be more inclined to suffer illnesses and diseases, there's a definite link.

So even putting aside the science stuff, just going away for a few weeks to somewhere sunny is bound to reduce stress hormones and help your body recover from stress! Also exercise and sex are just as good for that

[Trekkiemaiden]

Typical NHS response to anything vaguely natural and that would lessen the need for pharmaceutical treatments. Personally I think the whole "stay out of the sun and if you do go out smother yourself in suntan cream" is a load of bunkum. We need our vitamin D, it is a critical pre-hormone and goes hand in hand with our cholesterol, and the best and most efficient way to obtain it is from sun exposure through our skin , that's how we evolved to function.