Can sunshine also be healthy?
If you have a skin type that tans easily and you don’t go out in the sun for too long, a light tan can also provide protection. In addition, the sun promotes the production of vitamin D. This vitamin is very important for people, as most do not absorb enough of it due to their diets. However, the sun’s rays that hit the face and hands during the day are sufficient for the body to produce enough vitamin D.
An important biological role of UV-B radiation is the formation of calciferol (vitamin D3) from cholesterol in the skin. It has the function of a prohormone (hormone precursor) in the body and is converted via an intermediate stage to the hormone calcitriol.The vitamin D system has essential autocrine functions in a wide variety of tissues:
- Cell differentiation
- Inhibition of cell proliferation
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death)
- Immunomodulation
- Control of other hormonal systems
Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for:
- Autoimmune diseases (such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE).
- Skin diseases such as psoriasis (psoriasis).
- Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Furthermore, it is considered that vitamin D and calcium is protective with respect to colon cancer (colon cancer).
However, a lowered serum vitamin D level should not be compensated by exposure to UV-B radiation, but for the prevention of skin cancer by orally applied vitamin D.
Important notes on vitamin D intake
Dietary intake of vitamin D from the usual foods (1 to 2 μg per day in children, 2 to 4 μg per day in adolescents and adults) is insufficient to meet the estimated value for adequate intake (20 μg vitamin D per day from 1 year of age) in the absence of endogenous synthesis. The difference from the estimated value must be covered by endogenous synthesis and/or by taking a vitamin D supplement. In the case of frequent sun exposure, i.e. in summer, the desired vitamin D supply can be achieved without taking a vitamin D supplement. Otherwise, daily intake of a vitamin D supplement is required!
