KELOWNA, BC, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - Canada's sun-deprived northerly latitudes
mean 90 per cent of Canadians will be vitamin D deficient in the
winter. That's why it's not surprising to learn regular sunbed users
have the highest vitamin D levels of any group in Canada.
According to Canadian research published in the journal Public Health,
by Edmonton vitamin D researcher Dr. Gerry Schwalfenberg, regular
sunbed users and those who take high-dosage vitamin D supplements, have
the highest vitamin D levels in Canada. Those who do not take
supplements and who report receiving minimal sun exposure had the
lowest vitamin D levels.
"It is called 'The Sunshine Vitamin' for a reason," says Joint Canadian
Tanning Association Director Steven Gilroy. "Over 90 per cent of
sunbeds in use today mimic UVB and UVA in summer sun, which is why
sunbed users make vitamin D as a byproduct of their tanning sessions.
Many sunbathe primarily for that reason."
Vitamin D researchers now recommend target vitamin D levels - measured
by blood concentration in a vitamin D blood test - of 100 to 150
nanomoles-per-litre. *(www.D-Action.org - a panel of 41 of the world's leading D researchers).
Here is how Canadian groups measured up in Dr. Schwalfenberg's study:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEAN CANADIAN VITAMIN D LEVELS BY GROUP
Results are in nanomoles-per-liter (nmol/L) vitamin D blood
concentration:
Regular tanning bed usage
High-dosage vitamin D supplements
Lots of recent sun exposure
Cod liver oil supplement
Milk per day > 2 glasses
Fish servings per week > 1
No tanning bed usage
No milk consumption
Minimal sun exposure
No vitamin D supplement
|
94.74
93.91
82.68
80.97
77.16
72.87
66.01
65.28
63.21
56.54
|
Chart Source: Dr. Gerry Schwalfenberg et al. Journal of Public Health (2010)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/39508645/D-Canada
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new paper by Dr. Schwalfenberg - who has no relationship with the
Canadian tanning community - is in line with other studies on this
topic. A study on vitamin D and tanning published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 showed regular sunbed users in
the United States had 90 per cent higher vitamin D levels as compared
with non-tanners.
A single sunbed session can trigger the production of up to 20,000 IU of
vitamin D in the skin in a single visit - 200 times what is present in
an 8-ounce glass of whole milk.
JCTA's Gilroy - whose own vitamin D level measured 122 nmol/L at the end
of winter earlier this year as a sunbed user and dropped 43 per cent to
deficient levels by the end of summer, during which he stopped tanning
and followed health authorities' vitamin D recommendations - points out
that professional sunbed centres in Canada teach moderation and sunburn
prevention.
November is Vitamin D Awareness Month in Canada.
JCTA is a Canada-wide non-profit association representing professional
sunbed centers. JCTA members follow the principles of Smart Tanning and
teach Canadians how to maximize the benefits of UV exposure while
minimizing the manageable risks of too much or too little UV exposure.
