As I look at the pink tint of my skin from sitting at a mostly cloudy baseball game last night, I’m reminded about how darn easily I burn and how I just can’t get away without wearing sunscreen. But us pink folks are not alone!

Although it’s been a very cold and cloud covered spring here in the Pacific Northwest, I felt compelled to post an important reminder for those who are currently (or hopefully will be soon) out in the warm summer sunshine. This is a quote from one of the biggest vitamin D researhers out there:

“My message is very clear, YOU SHOULD NEVER BURN and always use sunlight in moderation for the beneficial effect which is the production of vitamin D.” Michael Hollick MD

Hollick MD recommends 15 minutes of mid-day sun without sunscreen, that’s it. Other than that you’re looking at oral vitamin D supplementation.

From what we’ve seen with numerous vitamin D lab tests done at our clinic in the middle of last summer, it’s very difficult to get enough vitamin D in the Pacific NW summer sun. So don’t think you’re doing yourself a favor by getting extra (likely harmful) sun exposure! Chances are that you’d be getting too much UVA (burning rays) and not enough UVB (vitamin D rays).

To be sure that you’re on the right track with proper vitamin D testing and treatment, check out some of the information in our vitamin D learning center.