There is growing evidence – and increasing debate surrounding this data -that many people in the northern hemisphere, especially the elderly and and darker-skinned individuals, may be lacking sufficient vitamin D.
Findings from the conference white paper are published in the May 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (vol 52, no 5, p 868).
The benefits of vitamin D are well documented and include, most notably, improved bone health and fracture prevention, better muscle health and a reduced risk of falling in older individuals.
However research suggest that many elderly are lacking in the vitamin. A study done by Danish health authorities last year found that in the oldest age-groups close to 80 per cent have vitamin D insufficiency and 25 per cent are vitamin D deficient.
Some researchers have caused controversy by suggesting that increased exposure to sun could help remedy such deficiencies. But the US authors noted that photosynthesizing vitamin D through natural sunlight is maximized after 20 minutes of ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, with extended sun exposure providing no additional benefit but instead increasing the likelihood of photodamage and skin cancer.
Bonnie - This is what I have suggested for years. Fifteen to twenty minutes of unencumbered sunlight five times weekly is all you need for adequate vitamin D. But for most if us, this is not an option. Our next best option is high quality cod liver oil.
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