I’m a Scientist is like school science lessons meet the X Factor! School students choose which scientist gets a prize of $1000 to communicate their work.
Scientists and students talk on this website. They both break down barriers, have fun and learn. But only the students get to vote.
This zone is the Organs Zone. It has scientists studying health and disease in various parts of our bodies. Who gets the prize? YOU decide!
Not my area of expertise.
I’ve heard the higher SPF sunscreens decrease the amount of vitamin D your body produces from sunlight. But this doesn’t mean don’t wear sunscreen!
My doctor told me I have some of the lowest vitamin D levels last year. He mentioned I should go out into the sun, for at least 30 minutes, not at peak times (when there’s high UV – which can cause cancer), with my arms and legs uncovered to make full use of the time. No use going out covered head to toe!
Hope this helps
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That depends on the sunscreen, on your skin colour, and on the strength of the UV where you live. In Perth (where I am), even the strongest sunscreen doesn’t stop me from getting a UV dose (and making vitamin D). But I’m pale and Perth has absurdly strong UV levels. The study that I’m involved with right now is showing that children in Perth aren’t that likely to be vitamin D deficient. You only need a few minutes (depending on your skin) outside with your arms uncovered to get your full dose. Adults, on the other hand, spend more time indoors, and are at more risk. Vitamin D is important for all sorts of things in the body that we don’t fully understand yet.
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Carina is doing a great job at answering questions!!
I think there’s lots of evidence that a little bit of sun is very good for us, but that a lot can be dangerous! Much like donuts, sometimes we have to limit the great things in life!
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Vitamin D is an important nutrient for your body (bone strength, repair and enzyme production) – you can get it from food like milk and fish but it needs sunlight to be switched on by the ultra violet radiation (UV).
As Carina said the amount of vitamin D depends on factors such as your skin colour, the amount of time you spend in the sun and strength of UV. The more pigment your skin has (melanin) the better equipped you are to absorb Vitamin D from the sun, but that also means you need a little loner – like 15min. You can even absorb UV when it’s cloudy, so take care when being outdoors and your body will be happier and healthier for it!
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Nearly a third of Australians have vitamin D deficiency! Isn’t that bizarre?
The scientists who conducted the study looking at vitamin D levels said that with rising obesity in our populations the low vitamin D levels might be due to people being inactive and staying in doors. They recommended going outside for at least 30 mins a day (with hats and sunscreen).
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