Nothing beats the warmth of Kansas spring sunshine after a long, cold winter! Come July, nothing protects from the sweltering Midwest heat either! As an active outdoor enthusiast, I love to get out and enjoy the Midwest sunshine, but am cognisant of the associated health risks of sun exposure. There is a wide variety of literature geared towards public relations, many of which are geared toward specific audiences. According to a 2013 study on the “agenda” of news coverage on tanning and skin cancers, reports that support pro-sun protection and outlines susceptibility to skin cancer is geared toward older adults who feel tans are unhealthy. In contrast, literature that is more ambiguous regarding sun protection and are more pro tan tend to relate to the benefits of Vitamin D and reach a younger crowd.1
Vitamin D is a conditionally essential fat soluble vitamin that can be consumed through dietary sources such as fortified milk and fatty fish. Deficiency of Vitamin D is related to osteomalacia or rickets and is commonly seen in developing countries. Breakdown components of Vitamin D circulate the body’s system and are involved in uptake of phosphate and calcium. Vitamin D is also related to positive immune function and is known to partake in the etiology of several cancers such as breast cancer. In addition to dietary sources, Vitamin D can be synthesized from cholesterol with the help of natural sunlight.
Research suggests that Vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to meet the needs of breastfeeding infants. 25-hydroxyvitamin serum in infants is directly related to Vitamin D content of breast milk. Studies indicated that supplementation of up to ten times the current recommended daily intake of Vitamin D is needed to provide sufficient transfer to infants.2
If you are a new breastfeeding mother, or just interested in supplementing with Vitamin D, please see you doctor before beginning a regimen! One study from New Zealand observed the differences in labeling and actual content of Vitamin D supplements. Results showed that less than sixty percent of the non-registered, non-prescription supplements complied with their labeling. These supplements are not strictly regulated and may contain less eight percent up to over two hundred percent of their labeled doses.3 As Vitamin D overdose is possible and potentially dangerous, avoiding OTC supplements is a wise choice!
Research suggests that Vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to meet the needs of breastfeeding infants. 25-hydroxyvitamin serum in infants is directly related to Vitamin D content of breast milk. Studies indicated that supplementation of up to ten times the current recommended daily intake of Vitamin D is needed to provide sufficient transfer to infants.2
If you are a new breastfeeding mother, or just interested in supplementing with Vitamin D, please see you doctor before beginning a regimen! One study from New Zealand observed the differences in labeling and actual content of Vitamin D supplements. Results showed that less than sixty percent of the non-registered, non-prescription supplements complied with their labeling. These supplements are not strictly regulated and may contain less eight percent up to over two hundred percent of their labeled doses.3 As Vitamin D overdose is possible and potentially dangerous, avoiding OTC supplements is a wise choice!
Health Commun. 2013 March 13. Agenda-Setting Effects of Sun-Related News Coverage on Public Attitudes and Beliefs About Tanning and Skin Cancer. Dixon, H. Warne, C. Scully, M. Dobbinson, S. Wakefield, M.
J. Hum Lact. 2013 March 4. Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation to Meet the Needs of the Breastfed Infant: A Systematic Review. Thiele, DK. Senti, JL. Anderson, CM.
J. Nutr Health Aging. 2013 Feb 17 (2): 158-61. Evaluation of vitamin D medicines and dietary supplements and the physiochemical analysis of selected formulations. Garg, S. Sabri, D. Kanji, J. Rakkar, PS. Lee, Y. Naidoo, N. Svirskis, D
