Vitamin D in health and disease

Background/purpose: Investigations have revealed that vitamin D plays an important role in many areas of health and disease. Questions over whether sun avoidance and sunscreen use will decrease vitamin D levels may concern clinicians when counseling patients at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. A re...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2010-10, Vol.26 (5), p.224-229
Main Authors: LoPiccolo, Matteo C., Lim, Henry W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
cancer
Dermatology
Diet
Dietary Supplements
Diseases of the skin. Cosmetics
health
Humans
Medical sciences
Nutrition Policy
Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
Sunlight
sunscreen
Sunscreening Agents - adverse effects
Vitamin D
Vitamin D - metabolism
Vitamin D - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background/purpose: Investigations have revealed that vitamin D plays an important role in many areas of health and disease. Questions over whether sun avoidance and sunscreen use will decrease vitamin D levels may concern clinicians when counseling patients at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. A review of the role of vitamin D in health and disease, the impact of photoprotection and skin type on vitamin D levels, and recommendations for adequate vitamin D intake is provided to aid clinicians in counseling patients regarding these issues. Results: Review of the literature indicates that adequate vitamin D intake is associated with decreased risk of falls and bone fractures in the elderly, breast and gastrointestinal cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and possibly all cause mortality, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. While skin type does affect vitamin D levels, regular use of sunscreen is not associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Conclusions: Adequate intake of vitamin D is important for maintenance of good health, and may be achieved through diet and oral supplementation. Intentional or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light should not be used as a means of obtaining vitamin D.
ISSN:0905-4383
1600-0781
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2010.00524.x