Survey Finds 64% of Americans Unaware Sunscreen Inhibits Vitamin D ...( ...),Health

FERNDALE, Wash., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 64 percent of Americans surveyed are unaware sunscreen hinders the body's ability to produce vitamin D - a nutrient found to support the immune system, bone strength, colon health and more.* The survey was conducted by WELLESSE, manufacturers of a liquid vitamin D3 supplement.

"Vitamin D is important to overall health. People need to be aware that sunscreen, even at SPF15, blocks more than 90 percent of the sun's rays used to produce this vital vitamin," warns Dr. Michael Holick, MD, PhD of Boston University.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that the public obtain vitamin D from nutritional sources and dietary supplements, and not from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning devises, as UV radiation is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer. (1)

For optimal health, regular sunscreen users should consider nutritional vitamin D sources from their diet. But often dietary sources, including mackerel, sardines, salmon or fortified milk are not frequently consumed by Americans in the amounts needed to satisfy the daily allowance. An option is a liquid supplement such as Wellesse Liquid Vitamin D3 which is easy to swallow and provides flexible dosing for the whole family. The Recommended Daily Value for Vitamin D is 400 IU for adults. Holick notes, "Myself and other experts in vitamin D research recommend between 1000-2000 IU/day depending on your age and diet."

Vitamin D deficiency has garnered the attention of leading scientific and public health organizations. In April, The Archives of Internal Medicine reported that over 75 percent of Americans have vitamin D insufficiency.(2) Last fall, The American Public Health Association called Vitamin D deficiency/insuff
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