Lee YM, Kim SA, Lee DH. Can Current Recommendations on Sun Exposure Sufficiently Increase Serum Vitamin D Level?: One-Month Randomized Clinical Trial.
J Korean Med Sci 2020;
35:e50. [PMID:
32103645 PMCID:
PMC7049620 DOI:
10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e50]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Lack of sunlight exposure is the primary reason for the worldwide epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. Although recommended sunlight exposure guidelines exist, there is no evidence regarding whether current guidelines are optimal for increasing vitamin D levels among individuals with vitamin D deficiency.
METHODS
Sixty Korean adults aged 20-49 years with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels of < 20 ng/mL were randomly assigned to three groups: sunlight exposure (n = 20), vitamin D supplementation groups (n = 20), and daily living (n = 20) for 1 month. The sunlight exposure group had sunlight exposure on 20% to 30% of their body surface areas for 30-60 minutes per day, 3 times a week during the summer season. Vitamin D supplementation was prescribed with 800 IU/day of vitamin D. The serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and at 1-month follow-up examinations.
RESULTS
The largest change in serum 25(OH)D was observed among the vitamin D supplementation group (+3.5 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The sunlight exposure group showed a slight increase in serum 25(OH)D level, but the absolute increase was less than one-third that of the vitamin D supplementation group (+0.9 ng/mL, P = 0.043). Only two participants in the sunlight exposure reached serum concentrations of 25(OH)D ≥ 20 ng/mL at follow-up. The daily living group showed no difference in vitamin D levels (-0.7 ng/mL, P = 0.516).
CONCLUSION
Sunlight exposure was not sufficient to overcome vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in the current study subjects. Effectiveness of current sunlight exposure guidelines among various populations should be reassessed in larger clinical studies.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0002671.
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