American Academy of Dermatology takes official position on vitamin D.

There has been a lot of interest swirling around the "sunshine vitamin" these days. The latest to take a stance on vitamin D is the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), which recommends that an adequate amount of vitamin D be obtained from a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, foods or beverages fortified with vitamin D, and/or vitamin D supplements. And it urges physicians to offer intake recommendations to patients that are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency. The organization also suggests that consumers abstain from getting vitamin D solely from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. According to AAD, the Institute of Medicine is currently reviewing the recommended adequate intake levels, and these guidelines may be revised upward due to evolving research on the increasing clinical benefit of vitamin D.

According to a recent survey conducted by Wellesse, manufacturers of a liquid vitamin D3 supplement, almost 64% of Americans are unaware that sunscreen hinders the body's ability to produce vitamin D.

"Vitamin D is important to overall health. People need to be aware that sunscreen, even at SPF 15, blocks more than 90% of the sun's rays used to produce this vital vitamin," warns Dr. Michael Holick, MD, PhD, of Boston University.

Vitamin D deficiency has garnered the attention of leading scientific and public health organizations. In April, The Archives of Internal Medicine reported that over 75% of Americans have vitamin D insufficiency. Last fall, The American Public Health Association called Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency "a major public health concern for both children and adults in the United States." For optimal health, Wellesse suggests regular sunscreen users consider nutritional vitamin D sources from their diet.