The Skin Cancer Foundation Vitamin D Recommendation

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for strong bones and a healthy immune system. We get vitamin D from foods (fish, fortified dairy products, cereal), vitamin supplements, and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that adults who have limited sun exposure should increase their intake of vitamin D to 1,000 IU (international units) daily. However, since UV exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, eye damage, and premature aging, they recommend food and/or supplements as the source of vitamin D. And more is not always better-- vitamin D can be toxic in high doses. For information on vitamin D, check out www.skincancer.org/Vitamin-D.