Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins we need for a healthy body. But what happens in winter when the sun, whose UV-B rays provide us with vitamin D, is not shining? Many people swear on so-called vitamin D lamps, which supposedly compensate for a lack of vitamin D or prevent it. Can a lamp actually do this, or are we being subjected to a marketing scam here?
Vitamin D is produced in our body when the sun shines on our skin. The UV-B rays are converted into vitamin D in the body when we get a sufficient amount of about 5-10 minutes of sun per day. This is so important because without enough vitamin D, serious physical consequences and diseases can occur. Bone density in particular suffers from vitamin D deficiency, but muscle weakness, depression and even cancer can also develop if we lack this valuable vitamin. It is absorbed to a small extent through the daily diet. For example, vitamin D is contained in fish, eggs or dairy products. Even though the body is able to store it, this dose is often not sufficient to cover the need.
A new trend, which should work wonders in case of a deficiency and be effective as a supplementary method to balance the need for vitamin D, is the so-called vitamin D lamp. But beware, vitamin D lamps are not as effective as they seem at first glance. Their rays do not consist of the UV-B rays necessary for vitamin D formation but have a spectrum which does not sufficiently resemble sunlight. Vitamin D lamps can be used to simulate a little brightness to the body and to reduce depressive moods, but not as a substitute for real sunlight!
Citation
- Spiegel Gesundheit (05.12.2012): Vitamin-D-Mangel- Einfach mal das Gesicht in die Sonne halten. Abgerufen am 17.02.22. https://www.spiegel.de/gesundheit/diagnose/vitamin-d-mangel-wie-man-sich-schuetzen-kann-und-was-fuer-folgen-drohen-a-870828.html.
- Healthrise (19.10.2021): Vitamin D und Lichttherapie gegen den Herbstblues. Abgerufen am 17.02.22. https://www.health-rise.de/vitamin-d/.