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Vitamin D production vs sun damage

Last post 08-03-2007 5:58 PM by Cathy. 1 replies.
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  • 08-03-2007 12:22 AM

    • vkargatis
    • Top 150 Contributor
    • Joined on 09-26-2004
    • Ottawa, Ontario
    • Posts 49
    • Points 740

    Vitamin D production vs sun damage

    Does anyone have access to a dermatologist that has really explained a recommended balance between skin damage via sun exposure vs. vitamin D production in the skin through sun exposure?  The general party line is "sunscreen!" - protect against cumulative sun exposure as much as possible.  But vitamin D is increasingly becoming known for cancer-prevention effectiveness (e.g. the recent Creighton U. study), and a vitamin D production via sun exposure is a chief way the body acquires the vitamin.

     My common sense tells me there's probably some optimal balance between vitamin D production time and minimizing sun damage, but I've never heard any informed medical commentary addressing that specific issue.  10 minutes of high sun exposure can produce significant amounts of vitamin D - how do those benefits compare to the dangers (if any) of 10 minutes of exposure on (albino) skin?  Albinism both improves the rate of vitamin production and increases risk of UV damage.  If someone has a dermatologist that could intelligently comment on the tradeoff, and justify a recommendation, I'd love to hear it.  (My interest here is having two young children with albinism.)

     Again, I already know the party line in support of sunscreen - I'm looking for specific medical commentary on the tradeoff here.
     

    • Post Points: 20
  • 08-03-2007 5:58 PM In reply to

    • Cathy
    • Top 200 Contributor
    • Joined on 06-06-2007
    • TX
    • Posts 42
    • Points 700

    Re: Vitamin D production vs sun damage

    I have had the exact same question myself, mainly for myself.  My son with oca is only 8 months, so I really don't have him in the sun hardly at all.  But as for me, someone who is faired skin with a history of basil cell carc., I've thought about this quite alot.  I'm afraid that we may never get a definitive answer since it seems that most "experts" believe that we have no common sense.  No matter what they tell us we will all decide for ourselves that if 10 minutes is good than more is better.

    Sorry to be so cynical and not have any info for you.  If I come across any good answers I'll try to send them your way.  Please do the same.

    Wesley's Mom
    • Post Points: 5
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