Sun Tanning for Vitamin D

Outdoor Tanning

Sun tanning has been a favorite past-time for many, it's enjoyable and relaxing, and sun exposure stimulates production of vitamin D. Our bodies need vitamin D to build bone density and to ward off diseases resulting from vitamin D deficiency. As an added bonus, the tan resulting from moderate sun tanning makes you feel good about yourself because you look so healthy.

Micheal Holick's new book, The UV Advantage, discusses societies' fear of the sun and how it may be leading to major vitamin D deficiency. While he doesn't advocate that we should all start sun tanning, he does mention that we may want to consider moderate exposure to UV.

It's believed that those who get regular sun exposure, including those who enjoy sun tanning, have higher levels of vitamin D and higher bone density. I know I personally feel much better after I've been in the sun for a while, and I'm certainly not complaining about the resulting tan.