Vitamin D, sun, sunbeds and health.
OBJECTIVE
To review the health effects of solar radiation, sunbeds and vitamin D.


METHODS
The literature was searched in the electronic database MEDLINE to indentify published data between 1981 and 2011. Studies were included if they reported relative risk for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) associated with sunbed use, vitamin D and UV effects on human health.


METHODS
Data from different time periods for populations at different latitudes.


METHODS
Persons of different ages and ethnic groups.


RESULTS
UV from sun and sunbeds is the main vitamin D source. Young people with white or pigmented skin in northern Europe have a low vitamin D status. A number of health benefits from sufficient levels of vitamin D have been identified. However, UV exposure has been suspected of causing skin cancer, notably CMM, and authorities warn against it.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall health benefit of an improved vitamin D status may be more important than the possibly increased CMM risk resulting from carefully increasing UV exposure. Important scientific facts behind this judgement are given.
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Ullernchausseen 70, Montebello N-0310 Oslo, Norway.
Johan
J
Moan
Zivile
Z
Baturaite
Asta
A
Juzeniene
Alina Carmen
AC
Porojnicu
D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*
D014807:Vitamin D