Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin, a group of fat-soluble prohormones, which encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous. People who are exposed to normal quantities of sunlight do not need vitamin D supplements because sunlight promotes sufficient vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

For decades we have been told to stay out of the sun, to wear hats and cover ourselves with sun block to protect against skin cancer - and also significantly reducing our levels of vitamin D. Add to that a growingly sedentary lifestyle where we and our children spend more time indoors either watching TV or in front of a computer monitor, and it is not surprising that millions of people have excessively low levels of vitamin D in our system.

Then we are told that sunlight can rapidly make up for any vitamin D shortfall, while at the same time the American Academy of Dermatology continues to recommend that the public obtain vitamin D from nutritional sources and dietary supplements, and not from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation because of the skin cancer risk, and we despair.

Telling people to get their vitamin D from just food and supplements obviously does not work. People have been told that for the last twenty years and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency has increased significantly. It is estimated that 50% of American elderly women consume far less vitamin D in their diet than recommended. Consequently, vitamin D deficiency is a serious problem among the elderly in the USA.

It is understandable why a dermatologist, who is in direct contact with skin cancer patients, advises people to stay out of the sun. However, millions of people are and will develop other very serious diseases because their vitamin D levels are too low. Skin cancer is one factor, but there are many other factors.

• Why is the current policy of telling people to get just their vitamin D from nutritional sources not working?

• Is the current vitamin D problem greater than the skin cancer problem?

• Is it possible to estimate what the impact of recommending 15 minutes twice a week of sun exposure would be on skin cancer numbers, and the health benefits from a resulting lower incidence of vitamin D deficiency in the population?

Some health authorities are starting to change their recommendations. Here is a quote from the Cancer Council, Australia (2009): "Sun exposure is the cause of around 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 95% of melanomas in Australia. However, exposure to small amounts of sunlight is also essential to good health. A balance is required between avoiding an increase in the risk of skin cancer by excessive sun exposure and achieving enough exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels."

Info from Medical News Today 8/09

related articles:

Does Indoor Tanning Produce Vitamin D?

Vitamin D: Dangers In High Doses

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