Vitamin D and Summer Sun
Many of you are aware that the best way to get vitamin D is from the sun. But now that it is summer:
This article answers these questions.
First, the safest and best way to get vitamin D is to have your body make it from the sun. It requires, however, that you are exposed to the summer sun between the hours of 12PM and 2PM, when the sun is the hottest, without getting burned. You can not be wearing sun screen (blocks the UVB light that makes vitamin D), you can not be wearing sun block (blocks both UVB and UVA).
How much sun exposure is required to make vitamin D is dependent on how fair your skin is:
Type 1: Light, Celtics, Scots, red-haired and freckles: 5-7 minutes per side
Type 2: Burns easily but tans, Caucasians: 10-15 minutes per side
Type 3: Sometimes burns, tans gradually, sun-sensitive: 20-30 minutes per side
Type 4: Burns minimally, always tans, minimally sun-sensitive: 40 minutes per side
Type 5: Rarely burns, sun-insensitive: 50 minutes per side
Type 6: Never burns, deeply pigmented, sun-insensitive: 60 minutes per side.
Sun screen is protective against UVB light rays only. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer is due to damage from UVA light rays. Sun screen does not protect you from melanoma.
The best form of sun burn protection is clothing, shade and hats.
If you will be exposed to the sun in one of the ways described above do not continue with your vitamin D supplements through the summer!
Please remember to be re-tested at the end of the summer so we know what your levels are and you can be protected through the winter.
Vitamin D protects you from:
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Winter blues (depression)
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Prostate cancer
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Breast cancer
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Colon cancer.
Get your levels tested!!!!
