Our bodies need vitamin D to build and maintain strong bones. Without vitamin D, the body cannot use calcium and phosphorus — two minerals necessary for healthy bones. 

However, leaders with the American Academy of Dermatology – the group that represents medical doctors who specialize in skin diseases – say they don’t recommend getting vitamin D from sun exposure or indoor tanning, which emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that may lead to skin cancer.

According to the academy, getting vitamin D from your diet and practicing sun protection offer a healthier alternative.  Here are reasons why:

•  UV rays cause premature aging of the skin, actinic keratoses and skin cancer.  There is so much scientific evidence to support this fact that  the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies UV radiation as a known cancer-causing agent.  UV exposure also causes cataracts and suppresses the body’s immune system.

•  More than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.  At current rates, 1 in 5 Americans will  develop skin cancer during their lifetime.

•  Melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - is the second most prevalent form of cancer among  women 20 to 29.  It is expected that new cases of melanoma will  increase by 9 percent in 2006.  This raises an American’s lifetime risk  of developing melanoma to 1 in 32.

•  Dietary sources of vitamin D do not prematurely age the skin nor  increase the risk of developing skin cancer or actinic keratoses.  Good sources include fortified  milk and cereal, and salmon, mackerel, and cod liver oil. 

•  Sunscreen use does not cause vitamin D deficiency and helps prevent premature aging, actinic  keratoses and skin cancer. When used correctly, sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15,  the minimum recommended by the academy, deflects or absorbs 93  percent of the sun’s UVB rays and allows 7 percent to penetrate skin. 

In addition, the average person requires one ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill  a shot glass, to adequately cover the exposed areas of the body.  However,  most people don’t use enough sunscreen to receive protection and fail to apply sunscreen  at least 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it every two  hours or after swimming.

•  Humans need calcium to benefit from vitamin D.  Sun exposure does not provide calcium. However, fortified milk, other vitamin D-fortified dairy  products, and salmon are rich in both vitamin D and calcium.  Dietary supplements also contain both. 

•  Vitamin D from food and dietary supplements offers the same  benefits — without the danger of UV exposure — as from the sun.  Vitamin D cannot be used by the body until it is  processed by the liver and the kidneys.  The usable form of vitamin D created by this process is the same — regardless of how it enters the body.

•  Maximum production of vitamin D occurs after brief exposure to UV  radiation.  The exact amount of time depends on many factors including  location, time of day, time of year, and skin type.  For a fair-skinned person  in Boston or New York, at noon in June, it is 2-5 minutes.  A

After this, any  additional vitamin D that the body produces will not be stored for future use.  Additional unprotected exposure will result in an increased risk of premature  aging and skin cancer.

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Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.