Don’t go in the sun unprotected

NEW YORK CITY—Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system. While a limited amount of the vitamin can be obtained from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the suggestion that the best way to obtain vitamin D is through sun exposure is both misleading and dangerous, according to a May 4 press release from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The health risks of UV exposure—including skin cancer—are serious and well-documented. While many people have found their time outdoors severely limited because of Covid-19, some may misguidedly forgo sun protection completely in an effort to obtain vitamin D. Instead of damaging one’s skin, The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests people get their vitamin D from sources like oily fish, fortified dairy products and cereals, and supplements.

“Too many people believe that exposure to the sun’s radiation is the optimal way to obtain vitamin D, and that using sunscreen leads to vitamin D deficiency. In reality, unprotected UV exposure can put people at risk for potentially life-threatening skin cancer, and it isn’t the most effective way to reach your vitamin D quotient,” President of The Skin Cancer Foundation Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, said in the press release. Read more…