Vitamin D versus Sunlight

[Ken Anderson]

Interestingly, we've been led to believe that we need to believe that we need to take steps to protect ourselves from the sun with sunscreens and apparel designed for that, while at the same time, finding that we need to take Vitamin D, which we were designed to acquire from natural sunlight. I'm not saying that skin cancer isn't a thing, or to argue that tanned skin is healthy, but I have never once used sunscreen lotion. Of course, some people's skin burns more easily than others, and the sun can be particularly harsh in some parts of the country compared to others.

I have always believed that it's best to acquire the necessary vitamins and minerals from natural sources, rather than tablets or injections, and I think that's true about Vitamin D, as well. We are intended to acquire the necessary Vitamin D through exposure to the sun, but since a lot of people actively avoid sunlight or live lives that don't allow for adequate exposure to the sun, we have Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is absorbed through the skin by exposure to sunlight, so I think the best idea is to obtain a healthy balance between what might be not enough and too much exposure.

 

[Jacob Petersheim]

Along with getting me up and about more and carrying heavy stuff around, my hobby solar experimentation also gets me sunlight exposure. With the heat I'm out there shirtless in shorts at times.

I've rarely had any sunburn, and only bad once when quite young (too many hours on a white beach one week ended in fever and chills for a day). But yes, everyone's skin reacts differently, and may change with age.

One odd thing I've noticed is that my wristwatch skin tans more slowly than the area around it. I very seldom wear a watch today, but went for decades wearing one 24x7. That suggests to me that some of how skin behaves in reaction to sunlight can be "earned behavior" in a sense. Perhaps covering the skin too much can actually be detrimental over one's lifetime? A sort of "hot-house flower" effect?

 

[Yvonne Smith]

I have never ever used sunscreen either, and I have read articles that suggest that some of the chemicals that are in sunscreen can cause skin cancers. Back when I was growing up, I don’t remember ever even seeing anything that was a sunscreen, and if there was, it was not considered necessary.
I remember the ads for that Coppertone suntan lotion with the little girl and the dog grabbing her bathing suit, and the ad was to show how well she had tanned, not how she was protected from the sun.
Even sunglasses are maybe not such a good thing, according to some people. I seldom have worn those either. I defnintely try to be outside (weather permitting) and get my suntan and vitamin D.

 

[Connie Bennett]

I am also not a user of sunscreen. I am a heavy sweater and the thought of putting that stuff on and turning slimy while I’m working outside is not appealing. I am also not someone who burns easily..

That said I have read that anyone over 70 should have some additional vitamin D because our skin does not synthesize Vitamin D as good as it did when we were young, from the sunshine.

This from pub MD if we can believe them:

“Seniors require extra Vitamin D because aging reduces the skin's ability to synthesize it from sunlight and the kidneys' capacity to convert it into its active form. ”

 

[Don Alaska]

Sunlight produces vitamin D in the skin, One upside is that it uses cholesterol to do it, so there is a potential to lower cholesterol with sun exposure.

 

[Hedi Mitchell]

Being very fair skinned and red headed (was) I will burn, freckle up sitting in the shade with 45 screen lotion on.
I have suffered many a bad sunburn in my youth due to lack of knowledge to some degree of parents.
Plus now on certain med I must not be in the direct sun far too long. I have without thought became a hermit in this house. Only due to lack of mobility off and on,an no real interest in much around town.
I have started going out side early of mornings, or opening the front door and standing in the sun for 10 minutes, The sun is suppose to help regulate several things.