Vitamin D from Sun: What Should be Exposed?

[annoymage]

i've read some article about sun exposure to help body produce vitamin D, but, just out of curiosity, which part of body that should be exposed? is only head and hand will be suffice?

 

[marcusl]

I read a study that stated that head and arms are insufficient. It seems that a large surface area (back, chest) is preferable. Several studies indicate that 5 - 10 minutes of exposure a day (summer) is sufficient.

 

[annoymage]

by insufficient, what will happen? did vitamin D distribute equally to all bones? or will that maybe restrain bones development on the unexposed area?

sorry, my fundamental biology is very weak

 

[nismaratwork]

There are a number of competing studies and no conensus as to how much D is required per day, so I'm not sure that there is an answer to your question. I can say that Vitamin D is processed in a systemic fashion, wherever it is synthesized in the pigmant of the skin. Keeping one arm bathed in sunlight, and the other in darkness will not deprive the other of the Vitamin D.

From a practical point of view, you want to maximize your D production, and minimize damage from UV correct? This supports marcusl in that a large surface area in a short time is better than your arms baking for hours.

 

[LudusRex]

I can confirm that sun exposure is a crucial source of vitamin D for our bodies. The skin is able to produce vitamin D when it is exposed to UVB rays from the sun. However, it is important to note that too much sun exposure can also lead to negative health effects such as skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to find a balance and not overexpose ourselves to the sun.

In terms of which parts of the body should be exposed, it is recommended to expose larger areas of skin such as the arms, legs, and back for optimal vitamin D production. The head and hands alone may not be sufficient for meeting our vitamin D needs, as they are smaller areas of the body. It is also important to consider the time of day and length of exposure. Generally, the best time to expose our skin to the sun for vitamin D production is midday when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.

In addition, it is important to keep in mind that other factors such as skin color, age, and geographic location can also impact the amount of vitamin D our bodies are able to produce from sun exposure. Therefore, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate amount of sun exposure for your individual needs. Overall, while sun exposure can be beneficial for vitamin D production, it is important to practice safe sun habits and find a balance that works for your specific circumstances.