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Does Sunscreen Block the Sun From Sending Vitamin D & Cause Vitamin D Deficiency?

Growing concern about skin cancer from sun exposure has increased sunscreen use to protect against the sun's UV rays. However, the same UV rays linked to skin disorders stimulate vitamin D production in the human body. Despite the decrease in vitamin D production, doctors still recommend sunscreen use.

  1. Benefits of Vitamin D

    • Sun umbrellas and wide-brim hats offer an alternative to sunscreen.

      Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone health by helping the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, the building blocks of bones. Deficiencies in vitamin D can cause osteoporosis and rickets, as well as hormone disorders and muscle weakness. Additionally, doctors are studying vitamin D as a treatment for high blood pressure, psoriasis and cancer, according to WebMD. The Institute of Medicine's recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) for people under age 50, 400 IU for people 51-70 and 600 IU for people 71 and older.

    Sunscreen's Effect on Vitamin D

    • You can supplement your vitamin D production with inexpensive pills.

      Scientists have determined that by blocking ultraviolet rays from the sun, sunscreen does inhibit the body's natural production of vitamin D, according to Anahad O'Connor of the New York Times. However, studies do not link sunscreen to vitamin D deficiency, and subjects who regularly wore sunscreen had only a negligible decrease in vitamin D levels when compared to a control group.

    Getting Sufficient Vitamin D

    • The protection of sunscreen compensates for its role in decreasing vitamin D production.

      People concerned about vitamin D deficiency can increase their intake by eating salmon, milk and orange juice. Dr. Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, states that doing so is safer than increasing sun exposure and offers the same benefits. Other good food choices are butter, fish-liver oils and eggs. Additionally, vitamin D supplements are available in tablets and capsules, and many multivitamins.

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