In your new book, “The Vitamin D Solution,” you argue that we have become a culture of sun phobes who fear exposure to direct sunlight and slather on too much sunscreen, which you believe has caused a national epidemic of vitamin D deficiency.

Dermatologists have gone so far as to recommend that you should never walk outside without a sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology still has that recommendation that you should never be exposed to one ray of direct sunlight without sun protection.

Why do they say that?

They are heavily invested, I think, with the cosmetics industry. The American Academy of Dermatology just had their annual meeting in Miami Beach. It was huge. Many of the major cosmetic companies were there, and they were spending thousands of dollars just to be out there and promote their products to the dermatologists.

Why would the anti-sun academy hold its annual meeting in Miami Beach, the sun capital of the East?

That kind of says it all. They still seek the sun, just like everyone else.

How long does one need to stay in direct sun to absorb 2,000 I.U. of D, your ideal daily dose?

You don’t absorb it. You make it. In the spring, I recommend about 15 to 30 minutes on your arms and legs two to three times a week.