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Mar 11
2009
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Vitamin D may actually help relieve seasonal affective disorder.
I was reading a newsletter article by Dr John Jacob Cannell, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council , and he said that while there is still a lot of research to be done, some groundbreaking research has been done by people like Professor Walter E. Stumpf at the University of North Carolina, who thought bright light and vitamin D would play a substantial role in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). (Tanning beds with UVB bulbs are a great source of vitamin D.)
Research has already shown that bright light (without any vitamin D from UVB rays) improves mood, and it has become an accepted part of SAD treatment.
According to Dr. Cannell, we have seen depression on the rise in the last century, at the same time we have seen people reduce their sunlight exposure because of "urbanization (tall buildings and pollution reduce UVB ), industrialization (working inside reduces UVB exposure), cars (glass totally blocks UVB), clothes (even light clothing blocks UVB), sunblock and misguided medical advice to never let sunlight strike you unprotected skin."
While it would be great if we could all spend a couple hours outside to boost our vitamin D, the truth is that because of our urbanization, our 8-to-5 jobs, and our busy schedules, we just don't have the time.
That's where indoor tanning can be a benefit to people seeking treatment for SAD. Tanning beds already produce UVB rays, which produces artificial vitamin D. And, as researchers like Dr. Stumpf have shown, UVB can play an important role in improving one's mood, especially during the winter months. Just schedule a quick 30 minute trip to your local tanning salon and see if it helps lift your mood.
I was reading a newsletter article by Dr John Jacob Cannell, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council , and he said that while there is still a lot of research to be done, some groundbreaking research has been done by people like Professor Walter E. Stumpf at the University of North Carolina, who thought bright light and vitamin D would play a substantial role in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). (Tanning beds with UVB bulbs are a great source of vitamin D.)
Research has already shown that bright light (without any vitamin D from UVB rays) improves mood, and it has become an accepted part of SAD treatment.
According to Dr. Cannell, we have seen depression on the rise in the last century, at the same time we have seen people reduce their sunlight exposure because of "urbanization (tall buildings and pollution reduce UVB ), industrialization (working inside reduces UVB exposure), cars (glass totally blocks UVB), clothes (even light clothing blocks UVB), sunblock and misguided medical advice to never let sunlight strike you unprotected skin."
While it would be great if we could all spend a couple hours outside to boost our vitamin D, the truth is that because of our urbanization, our 8-to-5 jobs, and our busy schedules, we just don't have the time.
That's where indoor tanning can be a benefit to people seeking treatment for SAD. Tanning beds already produce UVB rays, which produces artificial vitamin D. And, as researchers like Dr. Stumpf have shown, UVB can play an important role in improving one's mood, especially during the winter months. Just schedule a quick 30 minute trip to your local tanning salon and see if it helps lift your mood.
