To Tan or Not To Tan

Actually, in my case, that should maybe read: "To Burn."  But whatever.  Well past my childhood, I was determined to lay out enough to get tan.  It took me years to figure out that this was not to be.  I have 2 colors: transparent white and lobster red.  I well remember one of my first burns when I was maybe 8 or 9 (it may not be one of the first, but definitely one of the worst).  We went to Florida as a family, and I got FRIED.  I remember sitting in a bathtub of oatmeal, trying to feel better.  There was also the aloe treatments and apple cidar vinegar -- Yes, that's right, vinegar.  Even into Med School, Carolyn and I would spend hours by the pool studying for our classes -- especially 2nd year.  In fact, I probably spent more time doing that, than actually in class (i.e. I skipped a lot of class my 2nd year).  All of that to produce, a very red "tan" and possibly later: skin cancer.

Well, in more recent years, I have been fastidious about using sunscreen.  This year, it was pretty much all 30 and above.  But alas, this may all be part of my problem.  Over less than 3 years, I broke: ribs, a toe, ribs again, collarbone (shattered = surgery and hardware), and then my femur (shattered = more surgery and more hardware).  Is there a problem, doctor?  Turns out my Vitamin D is low.  This is the preliminary report.  Vitamin D helps with bone growth and strength.  My x-ray 2 weeks ago showed only minimal bone growth and a still unstable fracture, after 6 weeks!  Next week, I have a bone density test, so this will be the tell all test.  Now, I really feel old.  Not only did I break my femur in a place in which traditionally is found when old people break their "hip", but now I get to have a test that traditionally is reserved for older ladies above 60 years of age!  So what does this have to do with sunscreen?  Well, it blocks your body's natural ability to make Vitamin D.

What's more, after about mid-2005, most of my exercise has been non-weightbearing.  I pretty much stopped running (or ran minimally) and started cycling.  One study has shown that 63% of cyclists (yes, those younger than 60 y/o) have osteopenia (low bone density).  So if you cycle and fall and have low bone density, beware!  Other things that can contribute: alcohol and caffeine consumption.  Darn!  I love my coffee and wine.

So, all you cyclists out there, take your Calcium and Vitamin D!  If I've learned anything through all of this, it is to do just that.  And do some weightbearing exercise too, while you are at it.