Beauty Tips For Body Care
Prompted by the recent post over in /r/Asianbeauty, please have your Vitamin D levels checked out!I know this sub, it's helped me with my own skin issues. But the perpetual fear of sunlight that gets spread around and encouraged is not just cute or annoying, but can have severe health consequences. Humans have needed sunlight since forever and our current way of live, combined with the sun fear I see here, can harm us all. We need sunlight and the Vitamin D our skin produces, but hiding indoors forever is really bad for our physical and mental well-being.Of course I would never say these things without proof, so here you go:Most people are actually Vitamin D deficient, as seen in this study done on US participants. What's very interesting is that Black and Hispanic people are the most affected.Mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency could be linked to several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency was common in the US population, especially in certain minority groups. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2006 data were analyzed for vitamin D levels in adult participants (N = 4495). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations ≤20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%). Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common among those who had no college education, were obese, with a poor health status, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, or not consuming milk daily (all P < .001). Multivariate analyses showed that being from a non-white race, not college educated, obese, having low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, poor health, and no daily milk consumption were all significantly, independently associated with vitamin D deficiency (all P < .05). In summary, vitamin D deficiency was common in the US population, especially among blacks and Hispanics. Given that vitamin D deficiency is linked to some of the important risk factors of leading causes of death in the United States, it is important that health professionals are aware of this connection and offer dietary and other intervention strategies to correct vitamin D deficiency, especially in minority groups. - Abstract as sourced from hereAnd here is a study done on a world-wide scale:RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D level was 54 nmol/l (95% CI: 52-57 nmol/l). Women had borderline significantly higher 25(OH)D levels than men, and Caucasians had higher levels than non-Caucasians. 25(OH)D levels were higher in subjects aged >15 years than in younger subjects. Unadjusted there was no significant decrease in 25(OH)D with latitude (slope of curve -0.03 +/- 0.12 nmol/l per degree latitude north or south of equator, p = 0.8). There was a significant decline with latitude for Caucasians (-0.69 +/- 0.30 nmol/l per degree, p = 0.02), but not for non-Caucasians (0.03 +/- 0.39 nmol/l per degree, p = 0.14). After adjustment for age, gender, and ethnicity, no overall correlation was present between 25(OH)D and latitude (-0.29 +/- 0.24 nmol/l per degree, p = 0.23).CONCLUSION:There was no overall influence of latitude on 25(OH)D. However, in separate analyses 25(OH)D decreased with latitude in Caucasians but not in non-Caucasians. A widespread global vitamin D insufficiency was present compared with proposed threshold levels. - SourceConsequences of Vitamin D deficiency: I'm not posting this to make anyone go and get a sunburn, but I feel like there isn't enough conversation about the consequences of being Vitamin D deficient. As seen in this study, the consequences can go right to the bone and, as we get older, can cause bone structure impairment because of mineral metabolism impairment:25(OH)D concentrations were defined at which rise parathormone levels, increases bone conversion, impairs bone mineralization and develops osteomalacia. Based on these results a deficiency of vitamin D was defined. Patients with chronic renal disease experience development of serious bone impairments described as renal osteodystrophy. These disorders are caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism which develops as a result of mineral metabolism impairment, especially of hypocalemia, 25(OH)D deficiency, and insufficient synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D. Presently published guidelines K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Kidney Disease: Evaluation, Classification and Stratification define processes of vitamin D supplementation, particularly 1,25(OH)2D according to a degree of renal disease. Early prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis D is a treatment goal in order to reduce or stop development of secondary hyperparathyroidism with its consequences for bone metabolism. - SourceAnother interesting study shows that Vitamin D supplements and synthesis on the skin can be used as treatment for payment psoriasis:Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin. The skin is responsible for producing vitamin D. During exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet radiation penetrates into the epidermis and photolyzes provitamin D3 to previtamin D3. Previtamin D3 can either isomerize to vitamin D3 or be photolyzed to lymisterol and tachysterol. Vitamin D is also sensitive to sunlight and is photolyzed to 5,6-transvitamin D3, suprasterol I, and suprasterol II. In Boston, solar irradiation only produces previtamin D3 in the skin between the months of March and October. Aging, sunscreens, and melanin all diminish the capacity of the skin to produce previtamin D3. Once formed, vitamin D3 enters the circulation and is sequentially metabolized to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-[OH]2-D3). The epidermis possesses receptors for 1,25-(OH)2-D3. 1,25-(OH)2-D3 inhibits the proliferation of cultured keratinocytes and induces them to terminally differentiate. The topical or oral administration of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 has proved to be effective for the treatment of psoriasis. Therefore, the skin is the site for the synthesis of vitamin D and a target tissue for its active metabolite. The successful use of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 for the treatment of psoriasis heralds a new approach for the treatment of this enigmatic disorder. - SourceIn this study, it was proven that only 60% of ingested Vitamin D supplements were actually converted to the relevant binding protein, as opposed to 100% of sun gained Vitamin D:When vitamin D3 is ingested from the diet or supplement it gets incorporated into chylomicrons which are transported into the lymphatic system and then into the venous system were approximately 60% of the vitamin D3 is bound to the vitamin D binding protein and 40% is rapidly cleared in the lipoprotein bound fraction. - SourceSunscreenFrom the same study as above, starting from page 8, there's also information about UVB absorption related to sunscreen (I know this sub, I see all of you):Sunscreens were designed to absorb solar UVB radiation. A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 absorbs approximately 95–98% of solar UVB radiation. Therefore the topical application of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 reduces the capacity of the skin to produce vitamin D3 by the same amount i.e., 95–98%. This was confirmed with the report that the application of sunscreen with a SPF of only 8 dramatically reduced the blood level of vitamin D3 after exposure to simulated sunlight in a tanning bed. Farmers in the Midwest who had a history of non-melanoma skin cancer and who wore a sunscreen all the time before going outdoors for more than a year demonstrated that at the end of the summer their blood levels were significantly lower (most were vitamin D deficient) than the levels of the control group. - SourceAlso, can we please talk about farmers being Vitamin D deficient? As in, people who spend their entire day outside. Not like most of us who barely spend an hour or so in sunlight with sunscreen. If they manage to get deficient, it's very likely we all already have it as well.GlassGlass absorbs all UVB rays that pass through it:RESULTS: Laminated glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while smooth ordinary glass transmitted the highest dose (74.3%). Greater thicknesses of glass implied less radiation transmitted, but without a significant difference. Green glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while blue glass transmitted the highest dose of radiation (56.8%). The presence of a sunlight control film totally blocked UVA radiation. All glasses totally blocked UVB radiation.CONCLUSION: The main characteristics of glass that make it a photoprotective agent are its type (especially laminated glass) and color (especially green), which give rise to good performance by this material as a barrier against the transmission of radiation. - SourceAs referenced in all the studies linked, Vitamin D can only be produced with UVB light:During exposure to sunlight solar radiation with wavelengths of 290–315 nm penetrate into the skin and are absorbed by proteins, DNA and RNA as well as 7-dehydrocholesterol.1,2 Most of this UVB radiation is absorbed in the epidermis and as a result when exposed to sunlight most of the vitamin D3 that is produced in the skin is made in the living cells in the epidermis. This is the reason why after exposure to sunlight vitamin D3 remains in the skin even when the skin is washed with soap and water immediately after the exposure to sunlight. - SourceSitting in front of a window still lets in UVA which is what most people worry about. But the important one, UVB, gets completely blocked out, meaning no Vitamin D gets produced in our bodies. We can spend our life sitting next to a window and be Vitamin D deficient, just some food for thought.For those short on time, the summary in this study (same study linked again for the lazy) starts on page 30 and I'd encourage everyone who's worried about their sun exposure to read it. The language is kept simple but it hits all the main points. Not posting here because it's a long summary.Must read for those with more time: This study is what I like to call a summary study. It's an excellent source of all kinds of information about Vitamin D, why deficiencies happen, the consequences of being deficient and more importantly (from page 6 onwards), it describes the clinical benefits of Vitamin D.These include reduced risks for: cancer (dat sweet sweet irony), heart disease, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, cognitive impairment and so on.Another study which hits all those points is this one here. It covers the same topics and comes to similar conclusions as what I've already mentioned, but the more sources the better (the scientist in me is pleased now).Vitamin D can no longer be thought of as a nutrient necessary for the prevention of rickets among children. Vitamin D should be considered essential for overall health and well-being. Vitamin D deficiency and decreased exposure to solar UVB radiation have been demonstrated to increase the risks of many common cancers, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, and there are indications that they may be associated with type 2 diabetes (125, 126) and schizophrenia (127–129). The photosynthesis of vitamin D has been occurring in living organisms for > 500 million years, and it is not surprising that vitamin D has evolved into such an important and necessary hormone, which acts as an indicator of overall health and well-being. Vigilance in maintaining a normal vitamin D status, ie, 25(OH)D concentrations of 75–125 nmol/L, should be a high priority. Surveillance for vitamin D deficiency, with measurement of 25(OH)D concentrations, should be part of normal yearly physical examinations. - SourceTL;DR: Whew, what a whammy. Our bodies need Vitamin D. It helps protect us against cancer, heart disease, bone structure impairment, depression and many other diseases. Most of the world population have a Vitamin D deficiency, Black and Hispanic people are even more prone to that than Caucasians. Vitamin D is produced on our skin by UVB rays. However, glass absorbs all UVB and sunscreen absorbs about 95-98% of all UVB rays. So even when spending time in the sun with sunscreen, we can be deficient. Supplements only get absorbed to about 60% into the relevant protein, the rest gets stored in fat.Please get your Vitamin D levels checked and don't be scared to sit in the sun without sunscreen. Not saying never wear sunscreen, but don't panic if you do.Don't let this sub scare you indoors, sometimes they can get a little obsessive. They don't mean harm, it just seems a bit misguided at times.EDIT: This post wasn't intended to be used as a way to say "use supplements and still live in a cave forever". I just wanted to shed light on a fact that probably affects us and is a health issue.We've had a few posts which concerned me because of the sheer obsessiveness about sun exposure. Along with the health concerns talked about in the AB post, I wanted to open the door to a conversation that's more than just "avoid the sun forever" because sometimes thats what it feels like here.
Girls Blog 2015
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