Summer and UV light
With summer coming I thought I would post some of my thoughts on sunlight and specifically ultraviolet or UV light as it is known. I think we have perhaps went a little too far down the road with protection from UV light. It is necessary to have some UV exposure to be healthy. Imagine if you never went outside. Pale and sickly would be some of the words that would describe your appearance. It is obvious we were created to need the sun at some level.
UV light is necessary for us to make vitamin D. This reaction happens in your skin and the only time we can do it in Iowa is from about April through September and from the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you live further south your window to make vitamin D is longer. If you live further north it is shorter. Hence, folks that live further north tend to have lighter skin as it is more efficient at making vitamin D. Eskimos excluded as they get their vitamin D through their unique diet.
Current research shows that macular degeneration patients have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the disease. Studies also show that the more UV exposure kids have the less likely they are to need glasses. That means the more time kids spend outdoors the less likely they are to need glasses! UV light may very well play a role in this critical developmental time for our kids. By the time they are covered head to toe in sunscreen, sunglasses, hats etc. they are getting very little sunshine to their skin. My advice to parents is don't worry about sunglasses every moment of time they are outside. If they are going to be out in the middle of the day for hours or are around snow or water with lots of sun, then sunglasses are a must. In my opinion it should be the same with sunscreen. You never want to get a sunburn, but 5-15 minutes of sun depending on your skin type will produce thousands of IU's of vitamin D at certain times of the year.
So we need to find a balance with the sun. All day looking at screens and being indoors and then getting a sunburn on the weekend is not the way to do it. A small sensible amount of sun exposure daily, if you can, is good for everyone. Parents, if you don't want your kids to need glasses the best thing we know to reduce the risk is get them outside. This is just the basics. If you want to know more about UV light and vitamin D I recommend reading the Vitamin D Solution by Dr. Michael Holick.
Wishing all our patients of Knoxville, Pella, Pleasantville, and the surrounding communities a great summer. Get some sun, just don't get burnt!
Dr. Jason
UV light is necessary for us to make vitamin D. This reaction happens in your skin and the only time we can do it in Iowa is from about April through September and from the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you live further south your window to make vitamin D is longer. If you live further north it is shorter. Hence, folks that live further north tend to have lighter skin as it is more efficient at making vitamin D. Eskimos excluded as they get their vitamin D through their unique diet.
Current research shows that macular degeneration patients have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the disease. Studies also show that the more UV exposure kids have the less likely they are to need glasses. That means the more time kids spend outdoors the less likely they are to need glasses! UV light may very well play a role in this critical developmental time for our kids. By the time they are covered head to toe in sunscreen, sunglasses, hats etc. they are getting very little sunshine to their skin. My advice to parents is don't worry about sunglasses every moment of time they are outside. If they are going to be out in the middle of the day for hours or are around snow or water with lots of sun, then sunglasses are a must. In my opinion it should be the same with sunscreen. You never want to get a sunburn, but 5-15 minutes of sun depending on your skin type will produce thousands of IU's of vitamin D at certain times of the year.
So we need to find a balance with the sun. All day looking at screens and being indoors and then getting a sunburn on the weekend is not the way to do it. A small sensible amount of sun exposure daily, if you can, is good for everyone. Parents, if you don't want your kids to need glasses the best thing we know to reduce the risk is get them outside. This is just the basics. If you want to know more about UV light and vitamin D I recommend reading the Vitamin D Solution by Dr. Michael Holick.
Wishing all our patients of Knoxville, Pella, Pleasantville, and the surrounding communities a great summer. Get some sun, just don't get burnt!
Dr. Jason
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