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Vitamin D and you


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#1 NickC11

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Posted 30 March 2008 - 07:38 AM


Hi everybody, I'm new to the forum and noticed that most of you seem to be sunscreen avocates. However, I was wondering if sunscreen would diminish the skins ability to produce Vitamin D. I know that it is common to take Vitamin D3 suppliments, but is Vitamin D3 as effective as more so natural Vitamin D? I heard there are essentially two types of sunrays, UVA and UVB, does sunscreen blockout both of them? Anyways, again, I was just wondering if sunscreen is a must as natural sun exposure might provide pros that outweigh the cons. :)

#2 pro-d

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Posted 30 March 2008 - 10:23 AM

I've never used sunscreen (naturally tan coloured anyway), but I believe that a number of products block UVB which is indeed needed to create D3. Some sunscreens block both, some just one or the other.
However, the thing to bare in mind is that very few people seem to entirely coat their skin with any cream, so some production might still occur if you're generally fully body exposed.

Vitamin D3 is natural vitamin D, or natural to humans and other animals that is. Vitamin D2 isn't fake D, it's just not what we make and a little less potent, i.e. less active form is converted.

The thing about the sun is if you have an optimal level of D you're less likely to burn, but you need the sun to create the D. Prior to wearing clothes, staying indoors, working in offices we would've been born into more generous exposure, meaning we would be tooled up to deal with the sun. Now that people only seek the sun periodically, their skin is likely to burn before (or shortly after) they start making D.

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#3 donjoe

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Posted 30 March 2008 - 07:01 PM

I was wondering if sunscreen would diminish the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D.

Yes, a UVB-blocker with SPF 8 will inhibit about 95% of vitamin D production in the skin it covers (acc. to Wikipedia).

there are essentially two types of sunrays, UVA and UVB, does sunscreen blockout both of them?

Depends on the sunscreen. Almost all sunscreens block UVBs because those are the tanning & carcinogenic rays. More recent formulae also block UVAs, which contribute to skin aging throughout our lives and are also modestly carcinogenic.

I was just wondering if sunscreen is a must as natural sun exposure might provide pros that outweigh the cons. :)

I don't think the increased risk of skin cancer and the progressive skin degradation/aging that UVs give you can ever be outweighed by the vitamin D production (which reinforces your immune system) if you take into account that there are alternative sources of vit. D (foods, supplements) that you can tap, which don't do any such damage to the skin. :~ In the end, it's just a question of how important your skin's (long-term) health is to you (because it involves conscious effort - choosing the foods or taking the pills - to maintain your vit. D levels while using sunscreen on a daily basis).



- After all, Number One, we're only mortal.
- Speak for yourself, sir. I plan to live forever.


#4 NickC11

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Posted 30 March 2008 - 10:00 PM

Thanks for the detailed answers! Time to load up on pills/milk.




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