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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Summer sun isn't a guaranteed fix for vitamin D deficiency. Experts say factors like obesity, darker skin, sunscreen use, and limited outdoor time can keep levels low year-round. A Madrid-based endocrinologist recommends tailoring treatment — balancing sensible sun exposure, diet, and supplementation — based on each patient's individual risk profile.
Don't count on summer to solve your vitamin D problem. While seasonal sun exposure can partially correct deficiencies built up over winter, many patients — including those with obesity, darker skin tones, advanced age, or heavy sunscreen use — remain deficient even in sunny climates. Modern indoor lifestyles and limited food fortification in Europe compound the issue, keeping deficiency rates stubbornly high.
The fix, according to endocrinologist José Esteban Jódar Gimeno, is individualized care — not blanket supplementation. For roughly half the population, a combination of sensible sun exposure (about 15 minutes of suberythemal exposure on arms, legs, or back outside peak hours), a balanced diet, and a healthy weight is sufficient. For the other half, targeted supplementation is warranted based on documented deficiency or elevated clinical risk.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Over-supplementing patients with adequate vitamin D levels offers little benefit, while under-treating high-risk individuals can lead to bone loss, falls, and fractures. A risk-stratified, personalized approach is the most clinically sound strategy.
