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- Title
Burning daylight: balancing vitamin D requirements with sensible sun exposure.
- Authors
Stalgis-Bilinski KL; Boyages J; Salisbury EL; Dunstan CR; Henderson SI; Talbot PL; Stalgis-Bilinski, Kellie L; Boyages, John; Salisbury, Elizabeth L; Dunstan, Colin R; Henderson, Stuart I; Talbot, Peter L
- Abstract
<bold>Objective: </bold>To examine the feasibility of balancing sunlight exposure to meet vitamin D requirements with sun protection guidelines.<bold>Design and Setting: </bold>We used standard erythemal dose and Ultraviolet Index (UVI) data for 1 June 1996 to 30 December 2005 for seven Australian cities to estimate duration of sun exposure required for fair-skinned individuals to synthesise 1000 IU (25 µg) of vitamin D, with 11% and 17% body exposure, for each season and hour of the day. Periods were classified according to whether the UVI was < 3 or ≥ 3 (when sun protection measures are recommended), and whether required duration of exposure was ≤ 30 min, 31-60 min, or > 60 min.<bold>Main Outcome Measure: </bold>Duration of sunlight exposure required to achieve 1000 IU of vitamin D synthesis.<bold>Results: </bold>Duration of sunlight exposure required to synthesise 1000 IU of vitamin D varied by time of day, season and city. Although peak UVI periods are typically promoted as between 10 am and 3 pm, UVI was often ≥ 3 before 10 am or after 3 pm. When the UVI was < 3, there were few opportunities to synthesise 1000 IU of vitamin D within 30 min, with either 11% or 17% body exposure.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>There is a delicate line between balancing the beneficial effects of sunlight exposure while avoiding its damaging effects. Physiological and geographical factors may reduce vitamin D synthesis, and supplementation may be necessary to achieve adequate vitamin D status for individuals at risk of deficiency.
- Publication
Medical Journal of Australia, 2011, Vol 194, Issue 7, p345
- ISSN
0025-729X
- Publication type
journal article