A California endocrinologist this week wrote an op-ed column explaining that sunlight avoidance is the main cause of vitamin D deficiency.

“First of all, vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but rather a hormone. A vitamin is, by definition, a food substance that cannot be made in the body and must be taken in from an external source. In fact, the human body exposed to sunlight can make all the vitamin D it needs,” said Dr. Alan L. Rubin, California endocrinologist and author of “Vitamin D for Dummies. “Unfortunately, the fear of skin cancer has resulted in avoidance of sun exposure so that many people must take a supplement to achieve the necessary vitamin D level.”

Rubin’s comments were in reply to another op-ed piece which attempted to downplay vitamin D’s now-understood role in cell growth regulation, which is why the sunshine vitamin has been linked in studies to lower incidence of many forms of cancer and certain autoimmune diseases.

Groups who either caused vitamin D deficiency by preaching over-use of sunscreen often state that vitamin D’s only proven health benefits are for bone health rather than acknowledge other potential benefits of the sunshine vitamin.

To read Rubin’s op-ed piece click here.

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