A leading news source in the United Arab Emirates is urging a balanced message about sunlight — a message that turns the tables on dogma in parts of the Arab world that women should avoid sun with traditional clothing.

“There is a growing body of medical opinion that suggests that sunlight, which boosts the body’s levels of vitamin D, is beneficial, not only in the prevention of osteoporosis and depression, but in helping to prevent certain forms of cancer, including breast cancer,” The National reported. “In countries where the sun awareness campaigns have really taken hold, researchers have identified a correlating increase in the number of people who are vitamin D deficient.”

The paper correctly identified that food and supplemental sources are a long way from replacing what nature intended: Regular UV exposure.

According to The National “Bone health isn’t the only issue. Last year, Al Anouti and Dr Justin Thomas, a professor of psychology at Zayed University and columnist for The National, conducted a study looking at the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and depression in more than 200 students, male and female, in Abu Dhabi. Thomas explains the results: ‘We found a large amount of deficiency and severe deficiency among the student population. We also looked in tandem at the symptoms of depression and we found that the two things went hand in hand. As the severity of vitamin D deficiency increased, so too did the symptoms of depression.’”

To read The National’s story click here.