We all know that sunlight is an excellent source of vitamin D, and while that’s good, excessive exposure can cause sunburn which can be really painful. Ironically, a new study shows that high doses of Vitamin D can also ease sunburn – reducing redness and inflammation!
What did the study say about Vitamin D’s protective value?
In a double-blind clinical trial that was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, experimental “sunburns” were administered by researchers to 20 volunteers. They did this using an ultraviolet lamp, then provided them with either placebo or varying mega-doses of vitamin D. The amounts were in 50,000 IU, 100,000 IU and 200,000 IU. The vitamin was administered within an hour of the development of the sunburns. Evaluation was done at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and one week. The methods of evaluation also varied.
The results of the study were astounding, especially those regarding the 200,000 IU dosage. Researchers found that this particular dosage offered long-lasting benefits, including reduction of skin inflammation just 48 hours after the burn, and decreased reddening of skin. The activity of skin-repairing genes also spiked! Participants who had lower blood levels of Vitamin D did not have the same benefits and instead had increased levels of pro-inflammation chemicals.
Researchers also reported that Vitamin D helps improve the protective barriers of the skin by decreasing inflammation fast. It does this by raising skin levels of arginase-1 which is an anti-inflammatory enzyme. What it does is repair tissue and help activate any other anti-inflammatory protein, starting a “chain reaction”. Vitamin D also cuts inflammation by lessening the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin and tumour necrosis factor.
Vitamin D’s ability to improve sunburn is not that surprising. There are earlier studies that have also shown how supplementing with Vitamin D helps relieve atopic dermatitis or eczema both in children and adults.
It’s not just skin conditions like sunburn and eczema that Vitamin D can help – it appears that it also has a protective effect against various serious diseases. In extensive studies conducted, it appears that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, respiratory infections and depression.
The version of Vitamin D that is typically used in clinical studies is Vitamin D3, also called cholecalciferol. This version of the vitamin is considered to be more beneficial than Vitamin D2 which is often found in fortified foods. Aside from getting Vitamin D3 directly from sunlight, you can also absorb it naturally when you eat foods like free-range eggs, mushrooms, organic soy and wild-caught cold water fish. Although these are important dietary sources the amounts needed will not be met by these foods only. For 98% of us we need to supplement.
We recommend our professional quality Vitamin D3 in specially prepared drops which are designed to withstand the exposure to light and oxygen as it is dispensed from the bottle. This is very important so that you can get the full amount that you are expecting to get with each dose. If you want to learn more about vitamin D’s benefits and how you can naturally treat sunburn, as well as other skin problems and health conditions, visit Sloan Natural Health Center! We aim to help you achieve the best possible health the natural way!
