Can you get Vitamin D from the sun?

What vitamins does the sun give you?

 

Have you ever wondered what vitamins the sun gives you? The sun is a significant source of vitamin D, which is essential to good health. But, too much exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. This blog post will look at some of the vitamins the sun gives us and the dangers of overexposure. Keep on reading to learn more!

 

How To Safely Get Enough Vitamin D

How Much Sun?

 

There are some risks, so you do need to take precautions. It's best to talk to your doctor and be sure to get the OK from your doctor before increasing your vitamin D consumption. 

 

1. Supplementation

Vitamin D supplements can help people at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Many people get enough vitamin D from the sun's UVB rays, but your job and where you live can affect how much vitamin D you get.

2. Time of day and season

You get the most vitamin D when the sun is overhead. Yet, you still need to be outside for at least 10 to 15 minutes daily. The time of day and the month can affect how much vitamin D you get.

3. Clothing and sunscreen

You should always cover your skin with sunscreen when you are in the sun. Since you can't get vitamin D through clothing, you shouldn't be in the sun without sunscreen.

 

Ways to get Vitamin D

You need a Supplement

 

Did you know vitamin D promotes a robust immune system, healthy bones, and brain function? But before you head out into the sun, you should know a few things about the sunshine vitamin.

Vitamin D deficiencies are common. Many adults and children don't get enough sunshine, and those who do are often unable to absorb enough vitamin D through their skin.

While vitamin D is vital for health, it's possible to get too much. Excess vitamin D can lead to nausea, vomiting, kidney problems, and, in rare cases, heart problems.

Because very few foods contain vitamin D, it's best to get your daily dose by spending time outdoors in the sun. But, it's essential to protect yourself from harmful sunlight.

Too much sun can cause various types of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.

To protect your skin from sun exposure, apply sunscreen and limit your exposure time to 15-30 minutes.

Be careful when taking a vitamin D supplement. While most adults need 600 IU daily, 4,000 IU is the safe upper limit.

If you're taking vitamin D supplements, it's best to take them with food to avoid digestive discomfort.

 

The Role of Vitamin D

There aren't vitamins in the sun, but exposure to sunlight can help our bodies produce vitamin D, a critical nutrient for bone and immune health. We absorb vitamin D through skin contact, but factors such as age and sunscreen use can affect how much vitamin D your skin absorbs.

Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and some studies have suggested that it is superior to calcium. Vitamin D also helps support the immune system and affects mental health. Vitamin D deficiency may also lead to hair loss.

Without vitamin D, bone growth, immune function, and mental health could be compromised. For these reasons, it is recommended that you get a certain amount of vitamin D daily. 

The IOM also recommends that adults 71 to 80 years old consume 800 international units of vitamin D daily. Individuals aged 81 and older may need a higher vitamin D intake, as declining vitamin D levels can play a role in muscle and bone function declines.

Vitamin D can be found in fortified foods, such as milk, yogurt, and orange juice. You can also take supplemental vitamin D, which varies in potency according to the type of supplement you choose.

It is best to speak to your doctor about the right level of supplemental vitamin D for you and your lifestyle.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting vitamin D from the sun is a great way to improve your health. be sure to limit your exposure and use sunscreen to protect your skin.