Vitamin D Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vitamin D, including details on sources, melanin, benefits, deficiency, supplements, calcium absorption.

Ultraviolet-B radiation increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: the effect of UVB dose and skin color.

Armas LA, Dowell S, Akhter M, Duthuluru S, Huerter C, Hollis BW, Lund R, Heaney RP

Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA. larmas@creighton.edu

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV)-B light increases vitamin D levels, but the dose response and the effect of skin pigmentation have not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: We sought to define the relationship between UVB exposure and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) concentrations as a function of skin pigmentation. METHODS: Seventy two participants with various skin tones had 90% of their skin exposed to UVB light (20-80 mJ/cm2) 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Serum 25-OH-D was measured weekly. RESULTS: Eighty percent of the variation in treatment response was explained by UVB dose and skin tone. Therapeutically important changes in 25-OH-D were achieved with minimal tanning. LIMITATIONS: Four weeks was not long enough to reach a steady state at the higher dose rates. CONCLUSIONS: The response of 25-OH-D levels to UVB light is dependent on skin pigmentation and the amount of UVB given, and useful increases in vitamin D status can be achieved by defined UVB doses small enough to produce only minimal tanning.

Published 17 September 2007 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 57(4): 588-93.
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