Doctor prescribes sunshine to patients

Sunshine could reduce the risk of heart attack and high blood pressure, according to the latest research.

Vitamin D – the main source of which is sunlight – is already known to have an impact on bone disease, but new research shows it can also reduce heart disease and other illnesses, including kidney failure, depression and diabetes.

Now one of the doctors behind the research has revealed that he plans to prescribe exposure to sunlight as part the treatment he gives patients.

Dr Brent Muhlestein, who carried out the research said: "Our findings show vitamin D could have far greater implications in the treatment and reduction of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions than we previously thought."

But he warned against too much sun, saying that anybody exposing themselves to 20-30 minutes should use appropriate sunscreen and avoid the hottest part of the day.