By Chioma Umeha
While sunscreens are known to protect against skin
cancer, they may be inadvertently making you deficient in Vitamin D, causing
muscle weakness and bone fractures, researchers warned.
According to the study, published in the Journal
of the American Osteopathic Association, nearly one billion people worldwide
may be having deficient or insufficient levels of Vitamin D due to inadequate
sun exposure related to sunscreen use.
“People are spending less time outside and, when
they do go out, they’re typically wearing sunscreen, which essentially
nullifies the body’s ability to produce Vitamin D,” said Kim Pfotenhauer,
Assistant Professor at Touro University in California.
“While we want people to protect themselves
against skin cancer, there are healthy, moderate levels of unprotected sun
exposure that can be very helpful in boosting Vitamin D,” Pfotenhauer said.
In addition, the study also showed that chronic
diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and those related to malabsorption, including
kidney disease, Crohn’s and celiac disease greatly inhibit the body’s ability
to metabolise Vitamin D from food sources.
Considered a hormone rather than a vitamin,
Vitamin D is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D plays a wide
role in the body’s functions, including cell growth modulation, neuromuscular
and immune function and inflammation reduction.
Spending as much as five-30 minutes in midday sun
twice per week may help increase and maintain healthy Vitamin D levels.
However, it is important to forgo sunscreen during
these sessions because SPF 15 or greater decreases Vitamin D3 production by 99
per cent, the researchers said.
“You don’t need to go sunbathing at the beach to
get the benefits. A simple walk with arms and legs exposed is enough for most
people,” Pfotenhauer noted.
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