I was interested to read yesterday a report regarding a recommendation coming out of the Skin Cancer Foundation in the USA. The Foundation has recommended that adults increase their intake of vitamin D from 400 IU (the recommended daily amount) to 1000 IU.

This is good news, I think, because there’s abundant and continuing to amass evidence that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is common. And a deficiency here may well increase the risk of all manner of conditions including cardiovascular disease, bone disease, multiple sclerosis and many different forms of cancer. So, upping our intake of vitamin D could well help to protect against these conditions, and will almost certainly improve general health and wellbeing.

As you may know, I’m not a huge fan of sunscreen lotion. I just don’t think it’s all that necessary. If you’ve had enough Vitamin D skin production for one day, and you’re worried about burning up, using physical barriers – like shirts, hats, umbrellas – to impede the sunlight is better than slathering your skin with powerful chemicals. Still, in the event that the only thing standing between you and a second-degree sunburn is the application of some lotion, have at it. Just be aware that, according to a recent NY Times piece, there is some seriously misleading marketing lingo circulating in regards to SPF counts.

I just started taking “doxycycline” for acne.  The prescription label says to “avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight” and the guys in my apartment are razzing me because I won’t play tennis with them anymore.  My roommate says he took doxycycline before going on a cruise and nothing happened to him.  He bet me $100 to go outside for an hour, to show me that I won’t get a sunburn reaction.  Should I?   

CN, Gainesville, Florida

Q: I thought my days of dealing with acne were long behind me, but it seems I'm not so lucky. I've spent an arm and a leg on expensive products promising to clear it up, but nothing works. Please help!

There are 2 reasons I’m writing this article.  Firstly, vitamin D has been all over the news as the latest nutrient whose RDA  has come under great scrutiny.  The other reason being that it is almost 130 degrees (54C) here and I wouldn’t step into the sun if you paid me hence I believe I am - ironically - lacking in D3 activation.

This French word fills every woman's heart with great dread.  It describes a distressing cosmetic defect.  The principal areas of involvement are the thighs and buttocks, but also, to a lesser extent, on the lower part of the abdomen, the nape of the neck, and the upper parts of the arms, of women.

Q: Help! I have ugly toenail fungus. I don't want to take an antifungal pill as I'm afraid of toxic side effects. Is there a natural alternative?

The sun dispatches its warm glow of yellow light rays everyday, beaming in health, vitality, light and warmth. Yet after hearing all the warnings about its harmful effects, we fend off the sun as it were the enemy and sunblock, sunglasses and wide-brim hats are our weapons. Can brother sun be so dangerous?

Q: My mother had a horrible case of varicose veins, and I'm starting to get them now too. Is there any way I can keep them from getting as bad as hers?