DID YOU KNOW THAT VITAMIN D PRODUCTION IS DECREASED BY SHOWERING AFTER SUNBATHING!

There is widespread debate in the medical community about “optimal” Vitamin D levels, and as with most nutrients, the answer likely varies for each unique person given their genetics, environment, lifestyle, and existing health challenges. Generally I aim to support my clients to raise lower levels at at least 50 ng/ml. Below are conditions that have been associated with vitamin D levels: < 10 ng/mL Severely deficient < 15 ng/mL Risk of rickets < 20 ng/mL 75% greater risk of colon cancer < 30 ng/mL Increased calcium loss from bones, osteoporosis Poor wound healing Increased muscle pain Increased joint and back pain Greater risk of depression Increased diabetes Increased schizophrenia Increased migraines Increased autoimmune disease (lupus, scleroderma, thyroiditis) Increased allergies Increased preeclampsia Increased inflammation 30–40 ng/mL Likely Suboptimal levels Twice the risk of heart attack Increased high blood pressure Three times the risk of multiple sclerosis 40–80 ng/mL Likely Optimal levels, varying by individual 50% reduction in breast cancer, decreased risk of all solid cancers 70-80 ng/mL Slowing of cancer growth in patients with diverse types of cancer Suppressive effects on the immune system, helpful with autoimmunity > 100 ng/mL Increased risk of toxic symptoms (e.g. hypercalcaemia)

Your body converts a type of cholesterol in your skin to vitamin D3 when exposed to Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. That vitamin D3 that is formed is on the surface of your skin is an oil soluble steroid hormone and it does not immediately penetrate into your bloodstream.

The question then is: how long does it take the vitamin D3 to penetrate your skin and reach your bloodstream? Maybe an hour or two? Unfortunately no. It actually takes up to 48 hours!

Therefore, if you shower with soap, you will simply wash away much of the vitamin D3 your skin generated, and miss out on the benefits of your sun exposure. So ideally you need to delay washing your body with soap for about two full days after sun exposure 😱

The majority of many people are not going to be willing not to bathe for two full days. However there are quite a few other health benefits associated with less frequent skin washing which I will cover another day. (no Pommy shower jokes here thank you! 😋).

The bottom line is that we were not designed to shower twice a day using soap. It is fine to wash areas that are prone to bacterial overgrowth such as your armpits and groin but it is in your best interest to leave the sebum that was designed to be on your skin, to stay on your skin.

References:

1.https://articles.mercola.com/…/shocking-update-sunshine-can… 2.https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/washing-away-vitamin-d/ 3. Vitamin D, Third Edition by Feldman D, Pike JW, Adams JS. Elsevier Academic Press, 2011