03 Apr Deeply Tanned Skin May Prevent Optimal Vitamin D Formation
MedicalResearch.com-Interview with:
Dr. Francisco Bandeira
Francisco Bandeira,M.D.,PhD.,F.A.C.E.
Professor of Medicine and Chairman, Division of Endocrinology, Agamenon Magalhães Hospital,
University of Pernambuco Medical School
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Bandeira: We had the opportunity to evaluate a population with very high rates of sun exposure in daily life at a tropical region with abundant sunlight (UV index of 5 at 7 am and more than 10 at midday). We found that more exposure to the sun, less vitamin D deficiency, so nature “works”. But more sun exposure led to more tanned skins and despite these very high rates of sun exposure, most people were not able to achieve optimal blood levels of 25OHD (> 30 ng/ml).
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Bandeira: In regions with abundant sunlight such as the tropics in people who have skin phototypes in the intermediate range (light skins but with a high degree of pigmentation with repetitive sun exposure, that is type II and III), daily exposure to sunlight may still cause skin problems including skin cancer and will not prevent vitamin D deficiency in most of them. Our data suggest that by increasing the amount of sun exposure in these individuals the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency will decrease but tanning will limit the progressive rise towards optimal blood levels.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Bandeira: Our future research will focus on whether sun exposure with the use of sun protectors will have any interaction with the oral vitamin D supplementation. Also if genetic factors will have and contribution for the observed phenomenon.
Citation: Abstract presented at ENDO 2016 April 2016-04-03 Serum 25OHD, Skin Phototype and Sun Index from Adolescence to Old Age: Data from a Large Sample of Individuals with High Rates of Sun Exposure Living in the Tropics
Francisco Farias Bandeira*1, Leonardo Bandeira2, Aline Correia1, Cyntia Lucena1 and Maria Paula Bandeira3
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Agamenon Magalhaes Hospital, Univertsity of Pernambuco Medical School, Recife PE, Brazil, 2Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 3Instituto de Medicina Integral de Pernambuco, Recife PE, Brazil
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Francisco Bandeira,M.D.,PhD.,F.A.C.E. (2016). Deeply Tanned Skin May Prevent Optimal Vitamin D Formation MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on April 4, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD