Fair skinned may need vitamin D supplements

Fair-skinned people who burn quickly in the sun may need to take vitamin D supplements, according to research.

People with pale skin may be unable to spend enough time in the sun to make sufficient amounts of the so-called sunshine vitamin without getting sunburn.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and around 90 per cent of vitamin D is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight.

But a Leeds University study of around 1,200 people found that more than half had sub-optimal levels of vitamin D, and levels were 'significantly lower' in those who were fair-skinned. Fair-skinned was defined as people with freckles, blue eyes or any tendency to get sunburnt.

Currently, there is no universally agreed standard of what constitutes an 'optimal level' of vitamin D.

However, the study suggested that the optimal amount of vitamin D required by the body is at least 60nmol/L, as other research has found that less than this may be linked to a greater risk of heart disease and poorer survival from breast cancer.

People whose levels are below 25nmol/L are vitamin D deficient, and are at risk of poor bone health, the researchers said.

Professor Julia Newton-Bishop, who led the study, said: "Fair-skinned individuals who burn easily are not able to make enough vitamin D from sunlight and so may need to take vitamin D supplements. This should be considered for fair-skinned people living in a mild climate like the UK and melanoma patients in particular."

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "We must be careful about raising the definition of deficiency or sufficiency to higher levels until we have more results from trials showing that maintaining such levels has clear health benefits and no health risks. If you are worried about your vitamin D levels, our advice is to go see your doctor."

This article was published on Tue 4 October 2011