title: The relationship between ultraviolet radiation exposure and vitamin D status.
abstract: This paper reviews the main factors influencing the synthesis of vitamin D, with particular focus on ultraviolet radiation exposure. On the global level, the main source of vitamin D is the sun. The effect of solar radiation on vitamin D synthesis depends to some extent on the initial vitamin D levels. At moderate to high latitudes, diet becomes an increasingly important source of vitamin D due to decreased solar intensity and cold temperatures, which discourage skin exposure. During the mid-winter season, these factors result in decreased solar radiation exposure, hindering extensively the synthesis of vitamin D in these populations.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Air Research, The Polar Environmental Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway. ola.engelsen@nilu.no
authors.forename: Ola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Engelsen
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D