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Mar 25
2009
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The Vitamin D CrisisPosted by Ron Wilson in vitamin d, indoor tanning, health   |
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In the tanning bed business, there has been almost nothing as polarizing, nothing getting as much news attention, or generating as much controversy, as vitamin D. Some experts say we shouldn't be out in the sun. But other medical experts are now saying a vitamin D deficiency is being linked to teenage obesity, increased chronic pain, seasonal affective disorder, breast cancer, and many other ailments.
We're told that a vitamin D deficiency could result in rickets and other disorders that could impair proper growth and development and lead to liver or kidney disorders.
The best source for vitamin D is adequate sunshine or UV-B rays . But other sources like fish (tuna and sardines), milk, and egg yolks are enriched with vitamin D. However not everyone enjoys or eats these products. Therefore, sunshine, which doesn't have a taste, is the way most people get their vitamin D requirement.
Unfortunately for many people, getting adequate doses of sunshine is difficult, especially when they work indoors throughout the day or spend four or five months indoors because of cold weather. For several, an alternative way of getting their vitamin D fix is through indoor tanning, which can be beneficial. An advantage indoor tanners have is access to control and comfort, something that can't be done outdoors where we're at the mercy of the elements and other factors. Since indoor tanning has become more popular, national guidelines and regulations have been put in place by the Federal government.
The MSNBC article also discusses vitamin D and indoor tanning, which, like vitamin D, has had a polarizing effect on researchers, doctors and scientists to its actual benefit or harm. MSNBC noted the news that Ultraviolet light was a source of vitamin D was good to the indoor tanning industry, long maligned by doctors who have linked it to the rising rates of melanoma skin cancer.
"UV is a proven carcinogen," said Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, chair-emeritus of the department of dermatology at Boston University Medical School. "The wavelengths of light that damage DNA and cause cancers are exactly the same ones that produce vitamin D in the skin."
Still, others are skeptical that UV light alone is the cause, especially when emitted from a tanning bed.
The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) launched an aggressive nationwide campaign encouraging the public to rethink sun-tanning and criticizing dermatologists, doctors and the sunscreen and cosmetics industries for scaring people.
It's a never-ending argument. The fact remains that both indoor and outdoor tanning can be beneficial as long as tanners take care while tanning. But unlike outdoor tanning, indoor tanning can be done any time of day or year, can save time, and be done in short, controlled blocks of time.
We're told that a vitamin D deficiency could result in rickets and other disorders that could impair proper growth and development and lead to liver or kidney disorders.
The best source for vitamin D is adequate sunshine or UV-B rays . But other sources like fish (tuna and sardines), milk, and egg yolks are enriched with vitamin D. However not everyone enjoys or eats these products. Therefore, sunshine, which doesn't have a taste, is the way most people get their vitamin D requirement.
Unfortunately for many people, getting adequate doses of sunshine is difficult, especially when they work indoors throughout the day or spend four or five months indoors because of cold weather. For several, an alternative way of getting their vitamin D fix is through indoor tanning, which can be beneficial. An advantage indoor tanners have is access to control and comfort, something that can't be done outdoors where we're at the mercy of the elements and other factors. Since indoor tanning has become more popular, national guidelines and regulations have been put in place by the Federal government.
The MSNBC article also discusses vitamin D and indoor tanning, which, like vitamin D, has had a polarizing effect on researchers, doctors and scientists to its actual benefit or harm. MSNBC noted the news that Ultraviolet light was a source of vitamin D was good to the indoor tanning industry, long maligned by doctors who have linked it to the rising rates of melanoma skin cancer.
"UV is a proven carcinogen," said Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, chair-emeritus of the department of dermatology at Boston University Medical School. "The wavelengths of light that damage DNA and cause cancers are exactly the same ones that produce vitamin D in the skin."
Still, others are skeptical that UV light alone is the cause, especially when emitted from a tanning bed.
The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) launched an aggressive nationwide campaign encouraging the public to rethink sun-tanning and criticizing dermatologists, doctors and the sunscreen and cosmetics industries for scaring people.
It's a never-ending argument. The fact remains that both indoor and outdoor tanning can be beneficial as long as tanners take care while tanning. But unlike outdoor tanning, indoor tanning can be done any time of day or year, can save time, and be done in short, controlled blocks of time.
