Limited exposure to sunlight poses an
unappreciated threat to our health
Reduced vitamin D levels potentially cause harmful effects
One of the underappreciated effects of reduced daylight hours
during the winter months is the impact on vitamin D levels
following reduced exposure to sunlight, and the negative result
this can have on our health.
Professor Michael Besser, Consultant Endocrinologist at The
London Clinic, states “Vitamin D is of the utmost importance to
your body, but deficiency is a very common – and little appreciated
- problem in the UK. Current evidence suggests that about half of
the population has insufficient levels, and the long-term impact to
health is potentially debilitating. Whilst this is a particular
issue during the winter, vitamin D deficiency is in fact a
year-round epidemic that needs addressing.”
Vitamin D is important for general good health, growth, strong
bones, muscle function and immune response. The role of vitamin D
is to assist your body to use the calcium and phosphorus obtained
from your food. It also regulates normal cellular differentiation,
thus helping to prevent cancer.
The great majority of our vitamin D is made in the skin with the
help of sunlight, where UVB rays convert cholesterol into vitamin
D, with the remaining amount obtained via a healthy diet. Exposure
to sunlight can be reduced under cloud cover, and also in the
shade, and the UVB rays are completely blocked by glass. Whilst
challenges to gaining direct exposure are especially significant
during the dark and dreary winter months, there are also challenges
throughout the summer period with the increased use of
sunblock.
If exposure to the ‘sunshine vitamin’ is limited, deficiency can
occur, and this can eventually lead to osteomalacia – a disease
that causes the bones to become weak and painful. Other associated
conditions include muscle weakness, an increased risk of diabetes,
heart disease and certain cancers.
Professor Besser adds “Recent evidence indicates that we simply
cannot gain adequate amounts of vitamin D from our food, and we
actually require much higher levels from sun exposure than we ever
thought before, particularly in order to maintain bone mass. There
are year-round obstacles to consider and, whilst every healthcare
professional would advocate the use of sunblock to counteract the
risk of cancer due to excessive levels of sun exposure, somehow we
must also ensure that we obtain adequate levels of vitamin D from
sunlight to maintain general good health.”
Dr William Marshall, Clinical Director of Pathology and
Consultant Clinical Biochemist at The London Clinic, comments
“Vitamin D levels are easy to measure, and this is an essential
step to reliably detect sub-optimal levels. These sub-optimal blood
levels of vitamin D are very common, especially during the winter.
Some people are more at risk of deficiency, in particular pregnant
women, breastfed babies and people with black or Asian skin types.
Ask your doctor about vitamin D3 supplements to keep bones strong.
And it is also important also to do weight-bearing exercise to
maintain muscle mass and help strengthen bones.”
For more information please email info@thelondonclinic.co.uk