Introduction
Skin is the body's largest organ, so taking care of the skin should be an essential part of the health regimen. Most health professionals may advise the first thing to keep the skin healthy is limiting the sunlight's harmful ultraviolet exposure and using protective sunscreen once exposed to sunlight. But the fact is the sun is not entirely harmful.
Daily exposure to sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes can help the skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is one of the greatest vitamins for the skin, along with vitamins C, E, and K, which are the other vitamins that maintain the skin healthily and youthfully. However, many people in cold regions have a vitamin D deficiency due to limited sunlight or sun exposure, and they spend most of their time indoors.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a class of fat-soluble secosteroids that supports numerous biological processes in the body, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphate absorption. There are two types of vitamin D supplements: vitamin D2 (also known as ergocalciferol or pre-vitamin D) and vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol).
However, D2 is produced by plants and fungi, whereas mammals, including humans, produce vitamin D3. The primary natural source of vitamin D is the generation of vitamin D in the skin. Additionally, darker skin types have lower blood levels of vitamin D because the pigment (melanin) acts as a shade, decreases vitamin D production, and reduces the damaging effects of sunlight on the skin, including skin cancer. Some individuals may not produce enough vitamin D in response to sunlight due to specific lifestyle factors. For example, people who work at night, spend the day indoors, cover their skin at all times, or apply high-factor sunscreen daily.
What Are the Functions of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D supports many vital processes, it includes:
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Facilitates calcium absorption.
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Muscular health promotion.
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Immune system regulation and cell growth.
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Lowering inflammation, which prevents conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis; Controlling blood pressure.
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Promoting cardiovascular health.
What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D on the Skin?
The benefits of vitamin D on the skin involve:
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Vitamin D is essential to protect and rejuvenate the skin.
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Vitamin D supports skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism in its active form as calcitriol.
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Vitamin D improves the skin's defense mechanisms and aids in eliminating free radicals that promote aging.
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Vitamin D has antiinflammatory properties which may help to control skin inflammatory conditions such as eczema or vitiligo.
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Vitamin D acts as a steroid that helps control and stabilizes the genes in the skin.
Does Skin Colour Influences Vitamin D Production?
When exposed to sunlight, provitamin D3 is photolyzed to form pre-vitamin D3 by high-energy ultraviolet photons (290–315 nm). Once generated, pre-vitamin D3 goes through a chemical reaction called thermally induced isomerization that takes two to three days to finish. Melanin, a pigment that determines the color of the skin, effectively competes with provitamin D3 for the ultraviolet light that reaches the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, and restricts photolysis to pre-vitamin D3. In addition, it protects against sunburn and skin cancer by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and acting as a natural sunscreen. Lighter skin has less melanin and less protection from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Melanin levels are often higher and larger in darker complexions than those with lighter complexions. More melanin decreases the ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight, resulting in lower amounts of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Studies show darker-skinned persons may require up to three hours longer to absorb sufficient vitamin D than those with lighter skin. Because of this, darker-skinned people may face a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Vitamin D Deficiency on the Skin?
According to some experts, vitamin D levels in the blood below 12 ng/ml are considered deficient, and levels below 20 ng/mL are insufficient for strong bones and overall health. The signs and symptoms of deficiency of vitamin D include
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Dull Skin Tone - Vitamin D encourages melanin formation in the skin. Therefore, if vitamin D is deficient, the skin may acquire dull skin tone, white spots, and patches.
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Skin Rashes - Vitamin D deficiency may cause the skin to become red, dry, and irritated. Skin rashes are also seen in certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema due to insufficient vitamin D levels.
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Acne - Less vitamin D intake may be a factor in acne flare-ups. Vitamin D acts as an antioxidant and has a capability for acne prevention. Hormonal changes from low vitamin D levels may also influence acne formation.
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Skin Ageing - The skin may age more quickly when a person has low vitamin D levels. Premature aging results from numerous body function alterations caused by vitamin D deficiency.
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Wrinkles - Vitamin D can help to prevent wrinkles and fine lines by acting as an antioxidant. In addition, it may also aid the body's defense against free radicals, which are thought to be the root of lines and other signs of aging.
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Dry Rough Scaly Skin - An inherited skin condition known as ichthyosis causes the skin to become extremely dry and scaly. Ichthyosis is frequently associated with vitamin D deficiency.
According to research, a vitamin D deficiency increases the chance of eczema, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
Other body symptoms include:
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Bone problems.
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Impaired wound healing.
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Tiredness and fatigue.
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Muscle pain.
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Hair loss.
What Are the Food Sources of Vitamin D?
Fatty fish and liver oils are the best sources of vitamin D. Cheese, cow liver, and egg yolks are the other sources of vitamin D. Some commercially marketed mushrooms have higher vitamin D2 because they have been exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Vitamin D is added to many foods and supplements, including cereals and dairy products.
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Salmon.
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Vitamin D-fortified tuna fish.
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Plant and dairy milk.
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Sardines.
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Liver .
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Egg yolk.
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Fortified grains.
Conclusion:
A fat-soluble vitamin D is necessary for the skin to function properly. The majority of people get their vitamin D mostly from sun exposure. In addition to exposing the skin to sunlight, a healthy diet and supplements may help overcome vitamin D deficiency and the associated skin problems. However, the skin may also show signs and symptoms of vitamin D insufficiency. If symptoms appear in the skin, consult a specialist doctor, and take the medication with consent.
