CAN SUNSCREEN CAUSE VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

Scientists have recently stirred controversy in the media by claiming that sunscreen may actually increase the risk of some medical conditions by decreasing vitamin D production in the skin. New information about vitamin D indicates that, in addition to its role in bone density, it may help prevent certain types of cancer and provide other health benefits. One method of obtaining vitamin D is through ultraviolet light exposure. Unfortunately, tanning bed owners are exploiting this information to market their tanning salons.

Some of these recent studies fail to point out several well-established facts. It is a scientific fact that unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light will accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. It is also a fact that one can get 100% of the vitamin D requirement from dietary sources alone. The amount of ultraviolet light needed to produce vitamin D in the skin amounts to a few minutes of casual exposure a day – the amount you would get from walking to and from your car and the office. More exposure than this can lead to more skin damage, but no additional vitamin D production. Even a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or 30 is not completely protective; the reduced amount of ultraviolet light that gets absorbed by the skin is adequate for vitamin D production.

So how can the average person get enough vitamin D? The safest solution is to increase the amount of vitamin D in the diet by consuming more vitamin D enriched orange juice, dairy products and salmon. Take a multivitamin containing 600 to 800 units of vitamin D daily. Remember the proven methods of reducing the risk of premature aging of the skin and skin cancer: avoid excessive sun exposure, use protective clothing, and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen.