Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Health & Fitness

Study Finds Tanning Salon Sunbeds Effective for Raising Vitamin D Levels

Darpan News Desk, 15 Nov, 2017 02:11 PM
  • Study Finds Tanning Salon Sunbeds Effective for Raising Vitamin D Levels
Sunbeds with a UVB component similar to solar summer sunshine may provide an effective alternate vitamin D source during winter months, according to a new Canadian study just published in the journal Dermato Endocrinology. 
 
People who use tanning salons, specifically sunbeds that have UVB during the winter reach physiological blood levels (>100 nmol/L) of vitamin D, the study reported. It found 
that participants who used typical sunbeds emitting UVB rays in the range equivalent to outdoor summer sunshine increased their vitamin D blood levels on average by 42 nmol/L. This was achieved using standard tanning exposure schedules on salon sunbeds.
 
“Sunbeds enable exposure to nearly 100% of skin in a controlled manner which amplifies their effectiveness for vitamin D production,” said Dr. Samantha Kimball, lead author and research director at Pure North S’Energy Foundation in Calgary, AB. “We found that you can effectively raise your vitamin D levels into the desired range without burning and following Health Canada’s recommendations. But there are risks to any type of UV exposure, whether from the sun or sunbed.”
 
Ultraviolet-B (UVB) sun exposure in summer converts cholesterol in your skin to pre-vitamin D. Wintertime sun exposure at northern latitudes in Canada (above 44⁰N) does not contain sufficient UVB to stimulate vitamin D synthesis because of the angle of the sun. Most evolutionary biologists believe skin colour evolution occurred when fairer-skinned cultures migrated further from the equator so the skin would more efficiently produce vitamin D in light-deprived parts of the world.
 
For most Canadians vitamin D levels drop in October and continue to do so through the winter, and then they require vitamin D supplements or artificial UVB exposure to maintain target levels. Kimball and other vitamin D researchers now believe low vitamin Dlevels in winter leave you more susceptible to colds, flu and serious diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis many forms of cancer and heart disease.
 
In Canada, 38% of people or approximately 14 million Canadians have vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L the level recommended by Health Canada. This increases to 40% in winter. More than 48 vitamin D scientistsrecommend that you reach a vitamin D blood level of between 100-150 nmol/L for optimal health.
 

MORE Health & Fitness ARTICLES

Mother's alcohol consumption may make kids dull

Mother's alcohol consumption may make kids dull
Expecting mothers may give their drinking glass a goodbye kiss as researchers have found that parental alcohol exposure weakens brain activation in their children....

Mother's alcohol consumption may make kids dull

Baked or broiled fish improves brain health

Baked or broiled fish improves brain health
Baked or broiled fish once a week is good for your kid's brain, regardless of how much omega-3 fatty acids it contains, says a study....

Baked or broiled fish improves brain health

Video games cause deviant behaviour in teens: Study

Video games cause deviant behaviour in teens: Study
Teenagers who play mature-rated, risk-glorifying video games are more likely to engage in alcohol use, smoking cigarettes, delinquency and risky sex, says a study....

Video games cause deviant behaviour in teens: Study

New mother and sleepy? Avoid work for now

New mother and sleepy? Avoid work for now
Are you a new mother and cannot figure out why you are still sleepy and tired at work even four months after birth? Get your maternal leave extended to catch some sleep....

New mother and sleepy? Avoid work for now

Sleep deprivation can take your job

Sleep deprivation can take your job
If you are not sleeping well and enough, apart from health problems, you also run the risk of making bad financial decisions and even losing your job....

Sleep deprivation can take your job

Chronic pain may make you lethargic

Chronic pain may make you lethargic
If you are suffering from chronic pain, it may affect the brain in such a way that it decreases your motivation level even after popping painkillers, says a study....

Chronic pain may make you lethargic