However, we will share with you as much information as possibly can about this subject so that you no longer have any questions left un-answered by the end of this article.
Myth: You Get Vitamin D From Tanning Beds
How, someway, despite surely hearing plenty of reasons not to step foot inside of one—but, let us be clear: They’re not safe. While all of these statements may sound pretty blissful, the reality is, they’re not accepted by the scientific community. And even if these benefits were true (as a reminder, they are not), they’d be meaningless when you weigh them against the significant increase of skin cancer risk that presents itself the second you step into a tanning bed.
Abstract
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone that is crucial for human health and has recently generated controversy regarding its role in human health and disease. In this Special Article, we discuss our dermatologic perspective on vitamin D in a question-and-answer format. We discuss methods of obtaining vitamin D, including cutaneous photobiosynthesis, diet, and supplements and include the recent US Institute of Medicine recommendations. Other reviewed topics include the associations among skin pigmentation, climate, photoprotection, and vitamin D levels. We also elaborate on the popular interest in sun exposure as a method of normalizing vitamin D levels in the context of the risks of solar and artificial radiation. Finally, we summarize our recommendations on vitamin D. Abbreviations and Acronyms: 25(OH)D, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; 1,25(OH 2 )D, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D; AI, allowable intake; IOM, Institute of Medicine; IU, international units; MED, minimal erythema dose; ng/mL, nanograms/milliliter; nm, nanometer; nmol/L, nanomoles/Liter; SPF, sun protection factor; RDA, recommended dietary allowance; UV, ultraviolet; UV-A, ultraviolet A; UV-B, ultraviolet B; VBP, vitamin D binding protein
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone that is obtained by photoexposure, diet, or supplements and is crucial for human health. In recent years, vitamin D has been studied for its potential role in the prevention of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic conditions.1-9 Vitamin D has both endocrine and autocrine functions. The endocrine effects of vitamin D are involved in serum calcium homeostasis. These potential effects include inhibition of cell proliferation, promotion of cell differentiation, and apoptosis. These functions may in turn have roles in cancers, immunity, and many organ systems.1-9 The potential myriad effects of this vitamin in human health and disease have led to popular interest in vitamin D inadequacy and the best method to normalize suboptimal levels.
Bottom Line: Tanning Beds Are Bad For Your Health
The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend getting vitamin D from sun exposure or indoor tanning because ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer. While you may read that vitamin D is the cure-all for everything from cancer to inflammation, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine has concluded that the evidence for associating vitamin D status with health benefits other than bone health is inconsistent, inconclusive as to causality, and insufficient to inform nutritional requirements.
What Is Conclusive?
That unprotected UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning devices is a known risk factor for development of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Therefore, there is no justification to expose someone to UV radiation, a known carcinogen, for the purpose of increasing their vitamin D levels. End of discussion.
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commission if you purchase through links in this post. After years of thinking all tanning beds were dangerous, I learned how to tan safely — and why to avoid oral Vitamin D pills.