Do vitamin D lights really work?
It’s a tempting idea to think we can just turn on a light switch and get all the vitamin D we need — but unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way in real life. “Vitamin D lamp” is just one name for a type of light.
Can you get vitamin D from indoor lights?
When someone has a vitamin D deficiency, their skin needs UVB light to make the vitamin. However, in most cases, it is better to get vitamin D from food and natural sunlight than to use a sun lamp. Light therapy will not work for everyone.
Does a sad light help with vitamin D?
Try a SAD LAMP or light box This limited exposure can lower the production of Vitamin D that we need to maintain our calcium and phosphate levels. In severe cases deficiencies in Vitamin D manifest as Rickets or Osteomalacia in adults.
How long do you need to be in sun to get vitamin D?
Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. To maintain healthy blood levels, aim to get 10–30 minutes of midday sunlight, several times per week. People with darker skin may need a little more than this.
Do you have to be in direct sunlight to get vitamin D?
Tips for getting vitamin D from the sun People do not need to get a tan or burn to get vitamin D from the sun. The body will make all the vitamin D it needs for a day in about half the time it takes the skin to burn. Many factors affect how much vitamin D a person gets from the sun, such as: Time of day.
Can you get vitamin D in shade?
You need to have some skin exposed, for example, your forearms, hands and lower legs. But you can still make vitamin D even if you sit in the shade. Sitting inside by a sunny window doesn’t count because glass filters out the UVB rays – the type of light that is needed to make vitamin D.
What kind of sun lamp is best for vitamin D?
Experts advise people who wish to try light therapy to use only sun lamps that emit fluorescent light with no ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. UV light can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. However, for people using a sun lamp to help their skin make vitamin D, UVB light is essential.
How does the skin use sunlight to make vitamin D?
The skin also uses sunlight to make vitamin D. Sun lamps or light boxes work by imitating sunlight. Doctors might recommend, for example, that people with SAD sit by a light box that provides 10,000 lux for 30 minutes a day as soon as possible after waking up.
What do you need to know about vitamin D deficiency?
People with vitamin D deficiency may also use a sun lamp. Vitamin D helps the nervous system, muscles, and immune system work properly. It also helps the body absorb the calcium that it needs to keep the bones healthy.