People who use sunbeds have the highest vitamin D levels of any group in Canada, according to a study published in the journal public health by Dr. Gerry Schwalfenberg, an Edmonton physician who has written several papers on vitamin D.

According to Schwalfenberg’s paper, regular sunbed users have mean vitamin D levels of 94 nmol/L — or 38 ng/ml. In contrast, the Canadian average was around 68 nmol/L — or 27 ng/ml. Although vitamin D experts recommend vitamin D levels between 100-150 nmol/L (40-60 ng/ml), sunbed users as a group had the highest levels in Schwalfenberg review of Canadian data.

Schwalfenberg’s paper, Addressing vitamin D deficiency in Canada: A public health innovation whose time has come, was published in the journal Public Health.

The winter is always a good time to rehash this subject, as Canadians and most Americans cannot produce vitamin D from sun exposure during this time of year. Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council recommends still spending time outdoors for UVA exposure, and using alternative sources, like sunbeds, for UVB.

To read the study, click here.

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