Vitamin D and Skin Cancer

                                         

                      

Did you know that vitamin D can decrease your risk of skin cancer? It has also been linked to decreased risk of colon and breast cancer by boosting the immune system. And it is very important for maintaining strong bones. The more research they do on vitamin D the more beneficial things they are discovering. But there is controversy about how we should be getting our vitamin D. It is produced in our skin with sun exposure. The dietary sources of vitamin D are limited: oily fish, cod liver oil and foods supplemented with D (dairy, orange juice, cereals.) But most experts feel these sources will not provide what is needed.  Many adults and children are vitamin D deficient. Some say that use of sunscreen will inhibit the body’s ability to produce its own supply of vitamin D but this has been refuted. Dermatologists feel that depending on sun exposure over many years will increase the risk of skin cancer. At this point one in five Americans will develop skin cancer over their lifetime. So what is the solution? From a dermatology stand point it is recommended that you get your vitamin D through a supplement. Adults should be getting 1000iu daily and children under a year of age 400iu daily. So decreasing your risk of skin cancers by limiting your sun exposure and getting adequate vitamin D will be of great benefit in the long run!