21
PAKU VIEWS ISSUE 3 SPRING/SUMMER 2011-12
Summer or winter, don’t
forget your vitamin
sunshine
Concern about
vitamin D defciency has re-
emerged in New Zealand as
a result of health messages
to reduce sun exposure
and encouragement to use
ultraviolet (UV) sun screens,
which reduce the skin’s ability
to produce vitamin D. There
is no question that UV light in
large amounts is harmful, but in trace
amounts, natural sunlight is a ‘life-supporting
necessary nutrient.’
Some studies show that 85% of the world’s population is
vitamin D defcient and the numbers are growing in NZ.
The most recent surveys showed about one in three New
Zealand children had too little vitamin D in their blood and
nearly half of adults.
Vitamin D occurs naturally in egg yolks, oily fsh (such
as tuna and salmon), fsh liver oils, lean meat and some
dairy products. However, unlike any other nutrient, the
exposure of sunlight on our skin is still needed to help the
body synthesize vitamin D from these sources.
Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong
bones. New research shows that it is essential to the
optimal function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system
in our bodies. It can also enhance the immune system,
improve mood, reduce blood pressure, combat cancer,
and reduce the risk of some autoimmune disorders.
Photobiologist John Ott found that UV light coming
through the eyes actually stimulates the immune system
(a bit of natural light without sunglasses, please).
During summer, being outdoors just 20 minutes before
10am and after 4pm should allow enough sunlight to be
absorbed to meet your vitamin D needs. In winter, around
30 minutes per day are required. Those living on south
island need a bit more exposure because of lower UV
levels. You can get this natural light sitting by an open
window (with no glass), or under a covered porch. At the
beach? Sit under an umbrella or in the shade of a tree.
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TAIRUA’S
Eggs must be washed
immediately.
False. When a chicken lays an egg, there is
a microscopically thin membrane protecting the shell
called “the bloom” which prevents air and germs from
transferring into the egg, causing aging or possible
contamination. Eventually, the bloom wears away
allowing air to transfer into the egg. Leaving an egg
unwashed allows the bloom to do its job.
Eggs need to be refrigerated.
False. Fresh free range eggs, if left unwashed, can be
stored on your kitchen counter in a bowl for up to two
weeks without any obvious aging effects. The reason
-the bloom is protecting the contents.
Washed & refrigerated eggs stay fresh
longer.
False. A refrigerated unwashed egg and refrigerated
washed egg age differently. You may have guessed that
the unwashed egg will remain fresher longer whether
refrigerated or not. Some believe that once eggs have
been washed it is better to keep them cool or in the
fridge.
Eggs do not necessarily cause high cholesterol.
True. Health organisations including the British Heart
Foundation, the American Heart Association, and
the Food Standards Agency no longer advise that
the number of eggs eaten needs to be limited unless
advised by a doctor or dietician to limit eggs for health
reasons (such as a genetic predisposition to high
cholesterol). Eggs, no matter how they are produced,
are now regarded to be a valuable contribution to a
healthy diet, and can be eaten daily.