ETS Tanning Bed Blog

I recently stumbled across a 2008 study, done in part at the University of Washington, that found vitamin D administered to patients suffering from chronic kidney disease can actually reduce mortality rates by about 26 percent.

Instead of obtaining vitamin D through exposure to UV-B rays, a portion of the 1,418 patients in the study were administered calcitrol, an oral and activated vitamin D supplement. This was to ensure that vitamin D intake and levels could be carefully monitored and tracked.

Both interesting and comprehensive, this study also shows that vitamin D exposure and absorption is important to our health and in ways that go beyond basic bone issues.

Over the past several months, we've seen sunlight go from being the fiery demon that's been vilified by prohibitionist dermatologists to the wonder vitamin responsible for preventing so many ills. From cancer prevention to reduced mortality rates in those suffering from kidney disease, vitamin D is proving itself to be the miracle hormone. This study is just one more reinforcement as to why all things, including sunlight and indoor tanning, should be done in moderation, not avoided completely.

And no, you don't have to take calcitrol in order to obtain sufficient vitamin D levels. You can get vitamin D by exposing yourself to 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight several times a week. If you can't get outside or live in a climate that doesn't provide an excessive amount of sun, you can get all the UV-B rays you need with just one to two short indoor tanning sessions a week. Call your local tanning salon to see what kind of membership packages they have available for you.