About 80% of adults are vitamin D deficient. However, it is difficult to determine all the factors that can alter our vitamin D levels. When sunlight comes into contact with the skin, the body starts to make vitamin D. In addition, although some foods such as oily fish contain vitamin D, others are simply fortified with the vitamin. Despite this, many people choose to take supplements to make up for any deficiency. We all need vitamin D AND sunscreen on a daily basis. It is possible to get both, without having to suffer from nutritional deficiency or severe sunburn!
How is vitamin D made?
Everyone needs them. And for good reason! It stimulates bone growth and protects us from diseases likeosteoporosis. Vitamin D also helps to strengthen our immune system. When the skin is exposed to the sun’s rays, it starts to produce vitamin D. Ultraviolet B rays interact with a protein called 7-DHC in the epidermis, converting it into vitamin D3: the active form of vitamin D. Unfortunately, too many of us still think that using sunscreen could lead to vitamin D deficiency. As a result, many people choose to expose themselves to the sun without bothering to use adequate sun protection!
What are the properties of this vitamin?
Because of its regulating effect on calcium levels, vitamin D contributes to the strength of our bones. This makes it an essentialvitamin for bone health. When people are deficient in vitamin D, they may experience symptoms such as bone and muscle pain or muscle weakness. In severe cases, by reducing the absorption of calcium, vitamin D deficiency can lead to slower growth, reduced bone strength and weakened bone structure. This can lead to an increased risk of skeletal deformities, fractures and osteoporosis. Scientific studies have never proven that regular use of sunscreen can lead to vitamin deficiency. In fact, people who use sunscreen daily have normal levels of vitamin D.
Should we expose ourselves to the sun?
Sunscreen has many benefits. Indeed, studies have shown thatregular use of broad spectrum sunscreen can reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%, melanoma by 50% and premature skin ageing by 24%. At the molecular level, it has been shown that sunlight can damage the skin’s DNA. This leads to genetic mutations, which are responsible for skin cancer. In conclusion, exposure to the sun without adequate protection can expose you to a number of serious skin conditions. In fact, regular use of sunscreen can go a long way to avoiding all these problems.
Does sunscreen prevent the body from synthesising vitamin D?
Broad-spectrum sunscreens with a high protection factor are able to filter out most of the sun’s UVB rays. Indeed, these so-called UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. In addition, they can lead to skin cancer. In fact, UVB wavelengths are responsible for the production of vitamin D in the epidermis. However, studies have never shown that daily use of sunscreen can cause vitamin deficiency. In fact, research shows that people who regularly protect themselves from the sun have normal levels of vitamin D. Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30945275/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6899926/
