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Published on May 31, 2024

New UK Biobank study clearly illustrates the influence of ethnicity, BMI, and age on how vitamin D levels respond to UVB exposure

Key Points

  • While today marks the end of Sunshine Month, it is important to remember and implement the key points provided about sensible sunshine exposure for our health year-round
  • A newly released study (April 2024) used data from half a million participants from the United Kingdom (UK,) to calculate the individualized estimate of ambient ultraviolet-B (UVB) level, which is the wavelength of sunlight that induces vitamin D synthesis in the skin
  • They found two major insights from the data: 1. That ambient UVB emerges as a critical predictor of vitamin D status, even in a place like the UK, which receives relatively little sunlight; 2. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, and vitamin D supplementation significantly influence how individuals respond to UVB

 

While today marks the end of Sunshine Month, it is important to remember and implement the key points provided and summarized below about sensible sunshine exposure for our health, year-round.

A new study published just last month (April 2024) reminds us of how this information shared during Sunshine Month can make a big impact on our health, and especially, our vitamin D levels.

Read more below and be sure to take the Sunshine Month survey to receive a 20% discount code for your next vitamin D test kit order (one-time use per participant, not valid on T1D Prevention Test Kits).

Take the Survey for Your 20% Off Coupon Code

Give your kudos and your feedback to help improve the information we share during May’s Sunshine Month!

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Study Illustrates Influence of Ethnicity, BMI, and Age on How Vitamin D Levels Respond to UVB Exposure

A new study published last month (April 2024) by Brennan et al. is a reminder of the importance of the information shared each year for Sunshine Month.

The study looked at data from 438,978 participants residing in the UK. The UVB dose received by each individual over the 135 days prior to their vitamin D blood level draw was calculated with the purpose of determining the association between UVB exposure from sunshine and other factors that could affect vitamin D levels.

The authors found that, while overall vitamin D levels did improve with increased calculated doses of UVB, the effect varied by ethnicity and age. In fact, vitamin D levels differed significantly by ethnicity, with average levels of 10.2 ng/ml (25.4 nmol/L) among Asians, 12.2 ng/ml (30.6 nmol/L) among Blacks, and 19.2 ng/ml (47.9 nmol/L) among Whites. (NOTE: These are all deficient vitamin D levels!) The study also found that, while UVB dose was strongly associated with vitamin D levels among all ethnicities, it was the most important predictor of vitamin D level only among Whites, while vitamin D supplementation was the most important predictor among Asians and Blacks.

Other factors that were significantly associated with vitamin D levels, besides calculated UVB dose, included BMI, age, oily fish consumption, and cholesterol levels.

The authors made the following conclusion:

“UVB radiation at place of residence explained a large proportion of the variance in 25(OH)D concentration, particularly in White individuals at UK latitudes. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread with notable disparities between ethnic groups in the UKBB cohort. Our study provides valuable insights that can be used to inform tailored population approaches to vitamin D optimisation. Based on our findings, renewed efforts to optimise vitamin D supplementation in older adults and weight-based vitamin D supplementation strategies for those of higher BMI should be evaluated.”

Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D!  Use the code SunMonth24 during the month of May, 2024 to get 10% off your test kit plus our Sunshine eBook FREE, or take the survey above for your special 20% off code!
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Implement Sunshine Month Information for Your Health Year-Round

Remember to implement the key points provided and summarized below about sensible sunshine exposure for our health year-round:

  • Updated recommendations now emphasize an individualized approach to sun exposure and sun protection based on skin type in order to maximize benefits and reduce harms (learn more)
  • Each wavelength of energy from sunshine (UVB, UVA, Red, Near Infrared, Far Infrared, and Blue Light) provides unique benefits to our health (learn more)
  • Research shows that more sunshine in your life can help you live healthier, longer, and that avoiding sunshine could be the 4th major lifestyle factor leading to early death (learn more)
  • It’s important to know how to safely utilize sun exposure to produce vitamin D; vitamin D made in your skin provides additional benefits beyond vitamin D taken orally, plus the role of a tan and several myths about sunshine and vitamin D addressed (learn more)
  • The latest research shows why getting sensible sun exposure and avoiding low vitamin D levels are each important for mental and emotional wellbeing (learn more)
  • Research over the last few decades has confirmed a significant relationship between increased lifetime sunshine and UVB exposure and a decreased risk of many different types of cancer (learn more)
  • Regular, sensible, non-burning sun exposure throughout the lifetime, and higher vitamin D levels, are each related to decreased incidence of melanoma and increased melanoma survival rates (learn more)
  • Latest findings on the health benefits of sun exposure include the potential for improving metabolism and blood sugar control (learn more)
  • A lack of sunshine exposure can lead to decreased health and an increased risk of many diseases, also known as “Sunshine Deficiency” diseases (learn more)
  • Indoor UV devices have been used throughout history as effective health-promoting tools by providing a source of artificial sunlight in place of sunshine exposure (learn more)

Thank you for joining us this Sunshine Month!

Learn More About the Health Benefits of Sensible Sunshine Exposure in our Sunshine eBook!

With our FREE Sunshine eBook, you will learn:

  • the health benefits of sunshine
  • what happens in our bodies when exposed to sunshine
  • how and when to make vitamin D from sun exposure and how this is different from taking a supplement
  • how to utilize sensible sun exposure to minimize the risks of sun exposure and maximize the benefits for skin and overall health
  • and more…

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Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Vitamin D from Sun & Supplements – Test At Home!

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Choose which additional nutrients to measure, such as your omega-3s and essential minerals including magnesium and zinc, by creating your custom home test kit today. Take steps to improve the status of each of these measurements to benefit your overall health. With measurement you can then determine how much is needed and steps to achieve your goals.  You can also track your own intakes, symptoms and results to see what works best for YOU.

Enroll in D*action and Test Your Levels Today!

How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!

STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health

STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study

STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there

STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)

Enroll in D*action and Build Your Custom Test Kit!