

Hence, sunlight is not the best way to get your vitamin D."Īside from vitamin D supplements that your doctor can recommend, Dr.

Shainhouse agreeing, adding that "ultraviolet light (sun light) does cause direct DNA damage, skin injury and skin cancers. "But too much sun leads to accelerated skin aging," she said, with Dr. Further, calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) helps in skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism as well as prevents skin aging. Park agreed confirming that vitamin D is crucial for skin protection.

A 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that telomeres were significantly longer in patients with the highest serum vitamin D levels, compared to those with the lowest … equivalent to five years of aging." These telomeres shorten with age, rendering the DNA more and more unstable, until the cell dies. "Skin aging can be demonstrated molecularly, by the shortening of telomeres, the caps of genetic material on the free ends of DNA strands. "Healthy levels of vitamin D have been demonstrated to prevent skin aging," said Dr. Vitamin D is crucial for skin protection. There is a range of normal, low normal, moderate and severe deficiency." "The lab should measure the level of bioavailable vitamin D, which is D3 (the type that the skin makes). "Testing for Vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test," said Dr. Park added that people over the age of 50 have less ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight and are at a greater risk of osteoporosis and arthritis, fractures, muscle weakness, and cancers. "Individuals at highest risk are those who are institutionalized, the elderly, or those with more darkly pigmented skin." "Vitamin D deficiency results from lack of exposure to sunlight (for example: if you live in the northern hemisphere, ), impaired vitamin D absorption, medications that impair vitamin D absorption, and low dietary intake," added Dr. "According to a 2009 report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 77% of Americans have a deficiency in vitamin D levels, affecting their overall health," explains New York City-based registered nurse Rebecca Park. It often indicates a user profile.Ī blood test can check your vitamin D levels. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
