I don’t very often post about health issues, but Vitamin D – or the nation’s lack of – has been bothering me for a while. We’re all so paranoid about using high SPF and staying clear of the sun that we’ve forgotten that actually the sun is essential to our well-being. I’m not a health expert by any means, but I’ve heard it said that fifteen minutes of sun exposure on the arms two or three times a week is enough to top up your Vitamin D levels so you never experience any of the health implications that come with a Vitamin D deficiency. According to Simon Bandy from Health Plus, these include cardiovascular disease, some cancers, multiple scleorisis and rheumatoid arthritis, and you sure don’t want any of those.
I walk my dogs very often near a primary school and those kids are gleaming with SPF at 8.30am to spend most of their day in the classroom. Of course sun damage is dangerous too.. I get it that the fear factor of the highly successful skin cancer campaigns is huge, but there has to be a balance. Literally no sun is not safe and it’s asking for trouble later in life. Nobody is suggesting that you get out there and bake with no SPF, but bearing in mind that according to The Linus Paul institute at the University of Oregon, even SPF8 reduces the skin’s ability to absorb sunlgiht by 95%, it is something you need to watch for long term well-being. It is absolutely okay to have a very short amount of time with no SPF – if you are applying it, you can just leave your fore-arms till you get to work so the walk to the station or bus is your chance to pick up some incidental Vitamin D. It’s also a contributor in staving off depression and hair loss.
I hate the thought that we will be a nation of sun-scared, gloomy, Tippex-pale people for want of 15 minutes of glorious sun a day. Unless your diet is specifically rich in Vitamin D and if you spend most of your time indoors, I’d strongly recommend a supplement. There are hundreds to choose from, but the Health Plus site is HERE
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8 comments
Couldn’t agree more! Apparently the result of us all getting sun-scared is that we’re developing bone density issues much earlier in life than we used to. Both my mum and her sister have broken bones recently because their bones are much more fragile due in part to a lack of Vitamin D xx
I really only apply spf to my face, neck and chest as they are the areas that I am most concerned about getting sun damage and I want them to look younger for longer. I only really apply sun screen to my body if it is absolutely scorching, doesn’t happen often in Scotland! x
I started having wicked craps in my feet and calves last year, and after a blood test at the doctors turns out I had a vitamin D deficiency! Now I’m stuck taking these bloody awful lemon flavoured tablets twice a day. It’s much more fun to get some sun!
I think the medical guideline regarding Vitamin D supplements is only take them on a doctor’s advice. Too much Vitamin D (taken in supplement form, ie non-naturally from the sun) is harmful to you as it builds up and can;t be processed.
I also had a Vitamin D deficiency and was put on tablets but after a little while on them, I was re-tested and found that I’d built up enough of a store to come off the tablets.
My advice – speak to a doctor before deciding you’re deficient in Vitamin D.
I’m actually medium skin tone and thought that I had plenty of Vitamin D but last year after a trip from Bahamas I went for a check up and the Doctor told me I lacked Vitamin D! I was completely shocked so now I have to take one 2000mg pill a day and I completely agree we need at least 15 minutes of spf-free time each day. The sun makes us happy people, so go out there and get some sun, just not too much sun!
I have just made yesterday blood tests to check my vitamin D levels. 15m of sun exposure / day is the recommended!
since your post the other day, i’ve been really anxious to buy some vitamin d. i think it was about the time you posted about colladeen. thank you for the reminder xx
liloo/@tsunimee xx
I was recently diagnosed with vitamin d deficiency, as it is very common in South East Asians living in countries where there isn’t quite enough sun, like the UK!! I’m on a repeat prescription of twice daily vitamin D tablets, but since spoke to a different doctor who told me to stop paying the silly amount for a prescription and just take vitamin D included in a multivitamin tablet, for all round protection!!