Think You’re Getting Enough Vitamin D from the Sun? Think Again

[Guest guest]

By Sylvia , IH Editor -- Published: July 08, 2010

Lately it seems everybody is talking about vitamin D – and whether or not you're

getting enough of it! From your doctor to your colleague to your neighbor, each

one might have a different opinion on the best kind of vitamin D. The sun? Food

sources? Supplements? Well, recent research may be able to put that debate to

rest.

Why is Vitamin D SO Important?

There are a variety of health benefits associated with vitamin D. Some evidence

suggests that Vitamin D can help prevent a variety of common cancers, while

other research links enough vitamin D to a better mood and a more healthy

weight. When adults experience deficiencies in vitamin D, possible health issues

can include muscle weakness, bone fractures, increased risk of cancers,

development of autoimmune diseases, increased risk of developing cardiovascular

disease and infectious disease. It's not wonder, then, that there has been a

significant increase in the interest of the variety of benefits found in vitamin

D.

How Does Your Body Get Vitamin D?

Your body can produce vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. But, as

there is an increased risk of developing skin cancer with increased exposure to

the sun, there is some concern as to obtaining this important nutrient through

sun exposure alone. In fact, nutritional supplements within the US have been

rising in popularity due to the nearly 1.5 million people diagnosed annually

with skin cancer.

So . . . which form of vitamin D is better for the body?

Scientists from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the

Norwegian Institute for Air Research in Tromso used computer models to simulate

optimal sun exposure times needed to produce vitamin D in the body. Researchers

chose two geographical locations; Miami, FL and Boston, MA. Data was collected

from these two sites in four months- January, April, July and October.

The data collected suggested that between 3-6 minutes of sun exposure was

sufficient to produce 400IU of vitamin D in the body in both locations. The

study did show that it was more challenging for the body to produce vitamin D in

Boston during the winter months due to the lack of sunlight. Not only that, but

many experts are suggesting that more than 400 IU daily is needed for optimal

health, especially in children.

What this study did show is that there are limitations such as season, geography

and skin type, each which can impact not only the exposure of the body to the

sun, but the amount of vitamin D produced by the body. With these factors,

coupled with the potential skin cancer risk associated with prolonged sun

exposure, the researchers in this study suggest that optimal vitamin D levels

can be produced from supplements alone.