What is the controversy regarding sunscreen usage and Vitamin D?
What is the controversy regarding sunscreen usage and Vitamin D?
It is known that regular use of sunscreens helps prevent pre-skin cancers and non-melanoma skin cancer. But do sunscreens prevent the adequate generation of Vitamin D? This is the question dermatologists have been pondering for the last few years.
Fortunately, it turns out that very little ultraviolet light is required to make an adequate amount of Vitamin D. Just a brief exposure to the hands, arms and face 2-3 times per week in the spring, summer and fall may be all that is necessary to maintain a normal amount of Vitamin D. More exposure isn’t necessarily better, as the skin stops making Vitamin D when the proper amount has been made; the additional exposure only adds to skin aging and increased risk of skin cancer.
Besides sunlight, how else can I obtain Vitamin D?
Cereal, milk and soy contain Vitamin D, Soy Beans, Tofu.
These Vitamin D food suggestions were posted
by Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. in an article June 8 2007
called “The Cancer Fighter in Your Kitchen Cabinet”.
These are her suggestions for Vitamin D containing foods:
(like Dannon Light & Fit)
(like Multigrain Cheerios, Post Bran Flakes, or Kashi Vive) Here is a link to her blog:
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/joybauernutrition/15012/the-cancer-fighter-in-your-kitchen-cabinet
It may be a good idea for some people to supplement their diet with a multivitamin containing Vitamin D.
This is especially true for individuals who receive no sunlight exposure at all, such as nursing home patients or other shut-ins. Patients who have a photo-sensitivity disorder such as lupus may also need to severely curtail their skin exposure during the day. Persons whose diet contains little milk or other Vitamin D containing foods may want to add a multivitamin supplement to their daily routine.
Please discuss how much Vitamin D you should take with your health care advisor. Some individuals may require a greater or lesser amounts than average. In any case, Vitamin D synthesis by the skin is not an excuse to spend protracted periods of time in the sun without adequate protection (unless, of course, premature aging and risking skin cancer is your goal!).
Read more about Sunscreens and Vitamin D:
The Claim: Sunscreen Prevents Vitamin D Production:
New York Times Science Section