There has been a lot in the news recently about a Vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Whether it is growing or being tested for more frequently is unclear. It is hard to imagine that here in New England where the winters are long, cold and dark (and have always been) that people haven’t had issues with their vitamin D for a long time. Some people are advising people to spend more time in the sun without protection (clothing and/or sunscreen). The data is weak and conflicting on the role sunscreen use plays in causing or exacerbating vitamin D deficiency. In contrast, the data is very strong on the role that UV exposure plays in causing skin cancer. It takes very little sun exposure to generate all the vitamin D that a person needs. Once someone generates that amount, the excess is broken down by the body. If someone applies ideal amounts of sunscreen and is extremely aggressive with their other sun protective habits and has very little dietary intake of Vitamin D, then they may have an issue. Most people wont have that problem.
Be very aggressive with your sun protection, take walks outside (like golfing) and consider a vitamin D supplement during the winter time (1000 IU/day).
