Vitamin D: Common mistake can cause our body to produce less sun hormone

Created: 08/13/2022, 08:13

By: Juliane Gutmann

Vitamin D is important because it makes bones and teeth strong.

Our body can produce it itself - but only under certain conditions.

The only known positive biological effect of UV radiation is the stimulation of the formation of the body's own vitamin D through UV-B radiation.

As the Federal Office for Radiation Protection further informs, no extra portion of sun is necessary for this.

But what does that mean exactly?

Is a several-minute walk in the sun enough, during which only the face is illuminated?

Or should you lie down on the balcony in your bikini once a week?

Expose your face, hands and arms uncovered and without sunscreen two to three times a week to the sun – that should be enough for the vitamin D store to become or remain full.

You should not expose yourself to the light for too long.

Excessive exposure to UV-A radiation increases the risk of skin cancer.

According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, the rule of thumb with regard to vitamin D production is: Do not stay in the sun for more than half of your self-protection time.

The self-protection period varies depending on the skin type.

The skin of the very light skin tanning type 1 can only protect itself against dangerous UV rays for a maximum of ten minutes.

The self-protection time of skin type 4, on the other hand, is up to 45 minutes.

Only

helps the body produce vitamin D.

, on the other hand, is not.

The latter increases the risk of skin cancer.

These habits can destroy your liver

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Are my vitamin D levels too low?

Although we can also ingest vitamin D with food, the body's own vitamin D production is far more relevant for a sufficiently high level, according to the German Society for Nutrition (DGE).

In order to produce the so-called sun hormone, UV-B radiation must hit the skin.

Vitamin D is then produced from vitamin D precursors that are present in the body, as the DGE further informs.

Do you suspect that your vitamin D level is too low?

A general practitioner can find out if this is the case with a blood test.

In the event of a deficiency, a high-dose dietary supplement is usually administered.

When sunlight hits the skin, the body can produce vitamin D - but only under certain conditions.

© Frank Sorge/Imago

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Do not use sunscreen – but only for a short time

You don't need sunscreen for a vitamin D sunbath, quotes the doctor rating portal Jameda Heilpraktiker Elisabeth Strüber from Herne.

From sun protection factor 15, sun protection products would prevent sufficient UV-B radiation from hitting the skin.

Window glass and sunglasses would have the same effect.

Ideally, after sunbathing with vitamin D outdoors, you should avoid showering for four to six hours so that the hormone cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) can form in the skin, recommends Strüber.