Sunlight, UV-radiation, vitamin D and skin cancer: How much sunlight do we need
Holick, M
HERO ID
694296
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Year
2008
Language
English
PMID
| HERO ID | 694296 |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Review |
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2008 |
| Title | Sunlight, UV-radiation, vitamin D and skin cancer: How much sunlight do we need |
| Authors | Holick, M |
| Journal | Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology |
| Volume | 624 |
| Page Numbers | 1-15 |
| Abstract | Vtamin D is the sunshine vitamin for good reason. During exposure to sunlight, the utraviolet B photons enter the skin and photolyze 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 which in turn is isomerized by the body's temperature to vitamin D3. Most humans have depended on sun for their vitamin D requirement. Skin pigment, sunscreen use, aging, time of day, season and latitude dramatically affect previtamin D3 synthesis. Vitamin D deficiency was thought to have been conquered, but it is now recognized that more than 50% of the world's population is at risk for vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency is in part due to the inadequate fortification of foods with vitamin D and the misconception that a healthy diet contains an adequate amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency causes growth retardation and rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis and increase risk of fracture in adults. The vitamin D deficiency has been associated pandemic with other serious consequences including increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular disease. There needs to be a renewed appreciation of the beneficial effect of moderate sunlight for providing all humans with their vitamin D requirement for health. |
| Doi | 10.1007/978-0-387-77574-6_1 |
| Pmid | 18348443 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | 694296 |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Is Qa | No |