article: less clothing, more vitamin D – a simple health hack with profound benefits

That’s significant because you might be spending most of a day at the beach or by a pool, wearing only a swimsuit, and thinking that you’ll be getting tons of vitamin D, but that may not be the case if you’re constantly slathering on a strong sunscreen. Of course, it’s not good to get sunburned and you should actively try to prevent sunburning, but you also have to be careful not to go overboard or else you won’t get any vitamin D. Ideally, you should only wear sunscreen if you have a tendency to burn easily or if you plan on being out in the sun for a relatively long period of time. If you’re only going outside for a little bit or you typically don’t burn easily, then hold off on the sunscreen. Bring it along with you just in case, but you don’t have to put it on right away necessarily. I like to put a little bit of sunscreen on my ears, nose, shoulders, genitals, and butt – but only after I’ve gone unprotected for an hour or so.

Really it’s just best to get out in the sun unprotected until you get the slightest bit pink and then get out of the sun for the day. Over time your sun tolerance will increase. You’re melanin responses will eventually give you a darker tan that will act as a natural sunscreen. Vitamin D has also been found to have a protective effect against sunburn, so as your vitamin D levels increase that will provide additional protection from sunburn. Nature knows! Here in Florida I can be outside for several hours before I start to turn pink because, as a native Floridian, I’ve developed a pretty good sun tolerance.

So just remember, if you want vitamin D when you go outside you need wear the least amount of clothing comfortably/legally possible and hold off on the sunscreen unless you’re confident you’ll burn.

- nudespots.com

"Vitamin D." Get it?!