Palefaces need D-Pearls

New research shows that people with very pale skin may be unable to produce the amount of vitamin D in the skin, that they need – and at the same time avoiding sunburn. These people are in particular need of supplementation with vitamin D.

It is already known that people with dark skin often have a lower vitamin D level than people with lighter skin, although they live on the same latitude. Now it turns out that among people with light skin, the most pale have surprisingly low low vitamin D levels. The reason may be that the palest people do not tolerate much sun before they get sunburned.

Many different factors determine how much usable vitamin D we have in the body. In addition to how much sunlight we get on our skin, people have varying ability to activate the newly formed vitamin D in the liver and kidneys which is just as important because non-activated vitamin D does not benefit us.

Experts disagree
Experts do not agree on how much sunlight we will benefit from, or what level of vitamin D in our blood, is the most optimal, not even for people with increased risk of skin cancer, who after all also need vitamin D . The disagreement is partly due to that low-vitamin D content is associated with thicker tumors and poorer survival. Sunburn and sunny holidays which produce much vitamin D in the skin is associated with increased risk of skin cancer, but people who work outdoors and therefore have a high sun exposure have a reduced risk of skin cancer.

In this study, researchers wanted to examine the levels of vitamin D among British who previously have had skin cancer and for this reason have a continued increased risk. The researchers had chosen a blood level of 60-75 nmol/l which previously have shown to be associated with normal levels of thyroid hormones, a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and the best chance of surviving breast cancer. The survey showed that over half of those surveyed had less than 60 nmol/l vitamin D in their blood.

Although sunlight was associated with increased blood levels of vitamin D, a level of 60 nmol/l was only achieved in those who received 12 hours of sunlight or more over a weekend, which is not at all realistic in solar sentitive persons. This level will only be reached by the sun-sensitive by taking vitamin D supplements.

Ref.

Davies JR, et al. The determinants of serum vitamin D levels in participants in a melanoma case-control study living in a temperate climate. Cancer Causes Control 2011;22(10):1471-82.

Commentary

Skin cancer is several things. The Sun only increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma (the most common type of skin cancer). This type of cancer can be cured with laser or by scraping. People with basal cell carcinoma by the way live longer than the normal population. Of course because they get their vitamin D.

The deadly skin cancer melanoma comes from trauma to the skin. It can, for example occur near the anus, which rarely get much sun, but if you have a birthmark there, and you have the bad habit of scratching your butt, the damage can occur. Or if you, while shaving cut in a mole or you get a burn. It can be a hotplate, a soldering iron, or it may be due to a sunburn. But that's because a sunburn is a trauma to the skin.

From the Sun we receive UVA rays the ENTIRE day. They are cancer-promoting (basocellular). At midday, when the shadow is shorter than the height of us, we do receive UVB rays, and they make vitamin D and provides us with a natural SPF, which is brown skin.

Source:
Claus Hancke M.D.

Vitamin D in the blood

• Less than 12 nmol/l: Severe shortage

• 12-25 nmol/l: Deficiency

• 25-50 nmol/l: Inadequately

• More than 50 nmol/l: Sufficient

• 75-110/150 nmol/l: Optimal level

• Over 200 nmol/l: Risk of poisoning