Sun lovers at risk for vitamin D deficiency, too

By JEFF WEBERSTAFF WRITER

Our society's passion for using sun block as protection from getting skin cancer is wise and advocated by most — if not all — health-care professionals, but slathering on too much sunscreen also can harm your body.

"The regular use of effective sunscreens decreases a person's ability to produce vitamin D," says John Bucek, director of the Somerset Family Medicine Residency program at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville.

Bucek and other experts suggest taking in at least 15 minutes of direct sun a day before applying sunscreen. But those at risk or with a history of skin cancer or with sun-sensitive skin conditions first should check with their doctor or dermatologist before employing this directive.

Dark-skinned people also are more at risk because they absorb ultraviolet light less quickly than fair-skinned people, according to Tanya Edwards, head of the integrative medicine department at the Cleveland Clinic.

Did you know?

According to Bucek, many experts believe that people who have vitamin D deficiency suffer from more inflammation and symptoms and take longer to return to normal when experiencing the common cold. That's because vitamin D is used by the immune system as a messenger to immune cells. The type and degree of inflammation can be regulated up or down by simply ingesting normal amounts of vitamin D.