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

Osteoporosis From the Inside Out

Osteoporosis From the Inside Out
The word osteoporosis comes from the Greek word ‘osteon’ which means bone and ‘poros’ which means full of holes. Osteoporosis is a bone problem where bones are less dense, weaker and break more easily. 

Osteoporosis From the Inside Out

“Summer, Summer, Summer Time!”

“Summer, Summer, Summer Time!”
Utilize our easy tips to get active this summer to improve your health and overall wellness

“Summer, Summer, Summer Time!”

'Highly skilled, social individuals achieve more'

'Highly skilled, social individuals achieve more'
If you are smart and can also play well with others, you are more likely to reach the highest rungs on the corporate ladder than those who have just one quality -- either book-smart or socially adept, says a new study.

'Highly skilled, social individuals achieve more'

Battling Breast Cancer

Battling Breast Cancer
1 in 9 Canadians will develop breast cancer. This illness is still considered taboo in the South Asian community, and greater knowledge and awareness is required to detect breast cancer at an early stage to effectively treat it. 

Battling Breast Cancer

Food items to keep you fuller, fit

Food items to keep you fuller, fit
Feeling hungry all the time is one of the major reasons why most diets fail. Shun the unhealthy ones and go for the fuller and healthy substitutes to make diet succesful.

Food items to keep you fuller, fit

Unhealthy food items hard to let go

Unhealthy food items hard to let go
We generally get tempted by frequently advertised food items high in ingredients such as sugar, fat and salt.

Unhealthy food items hard to let go