Sunlight, Vitamin D and Your Skin

There are numerous benefits of Vitamin D for your skin and overall health. Vitamin D s a fat-soluble vitamin that while found in some food items is predominantly made in the body through exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. While it is indeed possible to get your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D through food, sunshine is truly the most significant source of vitamin D because UV rays trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

It is not necessary to spend large amounts of time in the sun to create this synthesis. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D. While the main function in the body of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood values of calcium and phosphorus, it also plays a vital role in skincare, as the most substantiated information pertaining to vitamin D and skin is its involvement in the prevention of skin cancers.

Vitamin D and skin are closely related because of the process of Vitamin D synthesis. However, there are also specific benefits of Vitamin D for skin. Vitamin D plays a key role in the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a lifelong recurring skin condition. Vitamin D in the form of natural sources is popularly used around the world to treat psoriasis. Vitamin D being a major contributor in the process of skin cell metabolism and growth, also show effectiveness in treating itching and flaking skin.

Skin color is produced by the formation of melanin in the human body. It is believed that people with lack of Vitamin D have lighter skin color because skin color is a balancing act between evolutionary demands of sun-protection and the need to produce vitamin D in the skin. Therefore, it is proved, health, skin, skin color, vitamin D and aging are all closely related. Vitamin D and the skin of human being cannot stay for long without each other.

As a simple cosmetic and health supplement, Vitamin D is not one of the more popular topical treatments, however, it is very clearly an important element in skin health. People at risk for vitamin D deficiency, such as people with limited exposure to sunlight, people who suffer from obesity, or people with kidney disorders that limit their ability to process vitamin D, should take vitamin D supplements and do their best to get at least a minimal amount of exposure to midday sun.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant and anti-carcinogen. It exists in several forms. Calciferol is the most active form of the vitamin. Once produced or ingested, the liver and kidneys act on the vitamin D to convert it into an active form that the body can use.

What are the sources of vitamin D?
* Food - Good food sources of Vitamin D include dairy products and breakfast cereals, as well as fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.
* Sunlight - The reason why vitamin D can be easy to obtain is because the main source is simply exposure to sunlight. Basically, the sun’s rays contain ultra violet light that acts on unprotected skin (no sunscreen) and allows it to manufacture vitamin D. Although this is a very easy way to get vitamin D into your body and reap the vitamin D benefits, sun exposure must be controlled. Too much sun exposure will lead to skin cancer and premature skin aging.

Dark skinned individuals need greater amounts of sun exposure in order for their skin to produce the same amount of vitamin D as for lighter skinned individuals. Other factors such as proximity to the equator, time of day, time of year, cloud cover, and pollution all play a role in reducing the amount of ultra violet light exposure and vitamin D production by the skin.

It is difficult for many individuals to get enough vitamin D via diet alone. Sunlight exposure is the best and most efficient way to reap the vitamin D benefits for your skin and body. If you are unable to get enough sun exposure, closer attention must be paid to diet in order to get the proper levels of vitamin d that the body requires.