Sunscreen Use Contributes to a Surprising Health Concern

As you soak up the rays during one of the final months of summer, you may or may not be aware of the beneficial “sunshine vitamin” you are soaking up at the same time, also known as vitamin D. Technically a hormone, vitamin D promotes the absorption of key nutrients— calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc—which keep bones strong and is likely also beneficial for other body parts and for fighting off disease.   It’s difficult to get enough vitamin D solely from food, but when coupled with sunlight, most people make sufficient amounts. However, as vigilant sunscreen use has increased in recent years (justifiably so, to avoid dangerous skin cancers), so have vitamin D deficiencies because sunscreen with SPF 30 cuts the production of vitamin D by 95%!   Several other factors, apart from sunscreen, can also play a role in contributing to a deficiency:   • Living in an area with high pollution, many overcast days, or tall buildings that block sunlight   • Preferring to spend more time indoors versus outdoors   • Having a darker skin tone   Without enough vitamin D, bones are predisposed to breaking more easily, particularly in the legs, pelvis and hips. People may also suffer from bone or muscle pain or weakness, lethargy, and a general sense of malaise. So, it’s critical to obtain some vitamin D from sources other than sunlight.   Like many things in life though, there’s always the chance of too much of a good thing. Vitamin D is no exception. Although toxicity is rare, if it does occur, it can lead to serious problems, such as kidney stones, heart arrhythmias, or calcification of blood vessels and organs. For this reason, megadoses are not recommended until further research establishes a clear benefit.   Health Practitioners can check for a vitamin D deficiency by way of a simple blood test. If a deficiency is detected, the doctor would most likely suggest taking a daily supplement—or high-dose vitamin D tablets or liquids, if the diagnosis is severe deficiency.   So, while you’re waiting for your next checkup, be sure to spend time outdoors in the sun, and pack your grocery cart with foods rich in vitamin D, like fatty fish, cheese, egg yolks, fortified cereals and dairy products.