Vitamin D is getting a lot of attention from the media lately as a hot, new topic in medical circles. Many people now have vitamin D levels tested and discover they are low in this essential nutrient. But what exactly is Vitamin D and why should you care about your Vitamin D levels? How does sunscreen use contribute to being low in this important vitamin, and what can you do about it?

What is Vitamin D?

I remember learning in elementary school about photosynthesis, how plants capture the light of the sun and turn it into energy. But what my teacher didn't tell me is that humans do something similar when creating Vitamin D! Vitamin D is actually a hormone produced from exposure to sunlight. UV light from the sun starts a chemical reaction in the skin to produce a precursor to Vitamin D which, with the help of the liver and kidneys, becomes active Vitamin D that our bodies can use.

Why is Vitamin D Important?

Vitamin D was originally discovered in 1918 as a necessary nutrient to prevent rickets. In more modern times, it has become famous primarily for helping your body absorb calcium to keep bones strong.

However, in the past few years, there has been an explosion of research linking Vitamin D deficiency to a wide range of medical conditions ranging from osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, many different types of cancer, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, PCOS, influenza, prostate health, infertility, high blood pressure, diabetes, seasonal affective disorder, migraines, and more.

Natural Health Concerns Regarding Vitamin D

Widespread Deficiency of Vitamin D

A study in May 2009 reported that more than one third of mothers and more than half of their infants are Vitamin D-deficient at the time of birth (9). Many other studies as well as clinical experiences are showing this deficiency is widespread in many people and populations globally (10). Why are so many people in so many different countries low in this hormone that our bodies makes on its own?

Natural Sources of Vitamin D

You can get Vitamin D from some fortified foods, as well as from many types of fish, some mushrooms, and egg yolk, but by far the best way to get enough Vitamin D is through sun exposure on our skin.

Recommendations vary from 15-30 minutes a day, with at least 30% of your skin surface exposed (some recommendations suggest your face and arms; other suggest you also need your legs exposed) in order to synthesize enough for optimal health. Depending on your latitude, altitude, pollution levels, cloud cover, and skin color, you may need more sun exposure to generate the amount necessary for optimal health.

Sunscreen may be Blocking the Production of Vitamin D

Many holistic health and conventional health care practitioners are concerned that the push to ALWAYS wear sunscreen has helped contribute to many people having suboptimal Vitamin D levels.

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