Most beauty products, especially moisturizers and body lotions, brag about their UV protection facets, outstanding each other’s level of SPF (Sun Protection Factor).  Perhaps they still have not heard that the sunshine vitamin is now on review.  And apparently, the news haven’t reached them yet, that a new statement has been issued by The American Academy of Dermatology concerning people who may be at risk for vitamin D insufficiency because of regularly covering-up and wearing sunscreen to protect their skin from wrinkles and cancer.  If you’re a health-savvy person and this is also new to you, then you’re probably asking now, “What am I supposed to do?”

Not to worry, because David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology says there are other safe ways to get this important vitamin, such as through a healthy diet that includes naturally vitamin D-rich foods, vitamin D-fortified foods and beverages, and vitamin D supplements.

However, not all experts agree.  For instance, vitamin D researcher Michael Holick, who directs the Bone Health Care Clinic at the Boston University Medical Center, says that the best way to ensure adequate vitamin D is to get even just a bit of exposure to the sun.

Everyone agrees that vitamin D is essential.  Why should they not?  A deficiency of such vitamin has been known to cause osteoporosis, fractures, auto-immune diseases and some cancers.  Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food, hence also enabling bone mineralization and preventing hypocalcemic (below normal calcium level) tetany.

The debate on the importance of vitamin D and the means to get it is getting heated.  The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine will convene a panel to discuss the latest research next month.