Vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D offers a variety of health benefits, and vitamins D2 and D3 are the most beneficial forms of vitamin D for skin health. Vitamin D creams or supplements can be an effective treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis. Vitamin D treatments can also help repair skin damage, prevent infection in skin lesions, and rejuvenate skin.
One of the best known uses of vitamin D for skin health is the treatment of psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms include itchy, flaky skin, which can be cured and prevented with topical application of prescription vitamin D cream or by taking prescription vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D3 is desirable for treating skin conditions because it doesn’t have the side effects of other treatments like steroids.
A bottle of vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D3 contains particularly strong anti-inflammatory properties, making vitamin D-containing creams and lotions effective skin treatments for burns, injuries, and skin damage such as stretch marks. The antioxidant effects of vitamin D can prevent skin damage and premature skin aging when taken through supplements or through the diet. Some people who suffer from skin conditions have also found symptom relief through careful and balanced exposure to the sun.
The sun is the best source of vitamin D, although exposure should be limited.
Some scientists claim that vitamin D absorbed through limited sun exposure can prevent skin damage and sunburn by strengthening the skin, making it less likely to burn. Opponents of this theory point to research showing that overexposure to the sun is probably the main cause of most skin cancers. This issue generates a lot of disagreement in the scientific community, with most medical professionals advising anyone at risk of skin cancer to limit sun exposure and take vitamin D supplements to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
The antioxidant properties of vitamin D can help prevent premature damage and aging of the skin.
Vitamin D deficiency is believed to be a contributing cause of autoimmune diseases, bone diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to the skin benefits of vitamin D, research shows that vitamin D supplementation may help prevent breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Nutrition experts recommend 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day for adults under 50 years of age and 400 IU per day for people 50 to 70 years of age. Anyone over the age of 71 should increase their vitamin D intake to 600 IU per day.
Vitamin D is an effective treatment for psoriasis.
There are few natural sources of vitamin D for the skin, and the most common dietary source is fortified milk. Foods that contain vitamin D include beef liver, cheese, cod liver oil, egg yolks, and fish. The best source of vitamin D is the sun, but unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of skin cancer.