The Vitamin D Debate

Worried about Vitamin D? Know the score...

The sun makes us feel good and we all need the sun to survive. Sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D which is important for developing and protecting strong and healthy teeth and bones.

We can also get Vitamin D from certain foods including milk, fish, egg yolks, and fortified cereals. However, exposure to UVB radiation is the most efficient way to boost Vitamin D supply.

Although environmental and personal factors greatly affect the Vitamin D production in the skin meaning there is no 'one-size-fits-all' level of exposure. What we do know is that sunburn caused by over exposure to the sun is highly damaging to our skin. With skin cancer on the increase, it is very important to strike a balance.

Best estimates suggest that for most people every day casual exposure to sunlight is enough to produce the required Vitamin D levels. Research has consistently shown that Vitamin D can efficiently and sufficiently be produced at doses of UV below those which, cause reddening of the skin or sunburn. Thus 15 to 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, without skin reddening or burning, per day should be sufficient for most people to produce the required Vitamin D levels.

“15 to 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, without skin reddening or burning, per day should be sufficient for most people to produce the required vitamin D levels. Most healthy diets contain vitamin D, but where appropriate levels can be increased by supplements or a diet containing vitamin D rich foods, e.g. Fish & Milk”
Professor Andrew Wright, Consultant Dermatologist, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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