Vitamin D helps build strong bones and teeth, can regulate your mood and fight depression, and may even aid weight loss. You should aim for regarding 15 minutes of sunshine several times a week in order to effectively benefit from the benefits of vitamin D.
But what regarding when you put on sunscreen? Can sunscreen block vitamin D?
To answer this question succinctly: No, sunscreen does not block vitamin D. The benefits of using sunscreen far outweigh the belief that sunscreen blocks vitamin D. Studies have shown that people who regularly use sunscreen maintain healthy vitamin D levels, while getting adequate sun protection.
Not wearing sunscreen can lead to irreversible skin damage, such as early signs of aging and skin cancer. So even if you’re tempted to skip sunscreen to get more vitamin D, you still need to put it on before you leave the house.
DO SUNSCREENS BLOCK VITAMIN D ABSORPTION?
No, this is not the case. Technically, sunscreen blocks UVB rays, but there is no evidence that sunscreen prevents the body from producing enough vitamin D. When you don’t wear sunscreen, you put yourself at risk of UVB damage, which can cause sunburn and other major risks. Even though UVB wavelengths have been found to trigger vitamin D production, there is still no good evidence to suggest that wearing sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency.
That said, you can wear sunscreen daily while getting enough vitamin D to have strong bones and boost your immune system. Several observational studies have shown that in real life, sunscreen does not cause vitamin D deficiency and should be worn regularly.
The amount of sunscreen you wear can also play a role in the rate at which your body absorbs vitamin D. Different sunscreen SPF levels provide different degrees of sun protection. For example, sun protection with a protection factor of 15 will filter 93% of UVB rays, compared to 97% for sun protection with a protection factor of 30.
However, your body does not require as much exposure to sunlight to synthesize vitamin D. In fact, 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure several times a week is more than enough for your body to produce enough vitamin D to stay in good health.
Factors that affect your vitamin D levels.
Several factors, in addition to sunscreen, can impact a person’s vitamin D levels. For example, where you live can play an important role in your vitamin D levels. If you live somewhere that is generally cold and farther from the equator, you are less likely to get adequate amounts of the vitamin. D and you may need to take supplements.
Carbon particles in the air due to fossil fuels and wood burning can reduce vitamin D production. The color of your skin also plays a role. Fair-skinned people generally need less UVB exposure to produce vitamin D than dark-skinned people because their skin contains less melanin.
Weight and age also impact vitamin D levels. Some studies have shown that being overweight makes it more difficult for vitamin D to be produced.
Maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels is important for your bones and overall health. You can get vitamin D by eating certain foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, milk, cod liver oil, and orange juice.
Vitamin D supplements are a great way to ensure that you maintain healthy vitamin D levels. Just be sure to discuss taking supplements with your doctor before you begin to determine the right dosage for you.