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Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for a good treatment outcome. Even when the sun is shining and the weather is warm, a vitamin D deficiency can be a problem for many people. One little known impact of the lack of vitamin D is the integrity of the skin barrier, which can cause issues like increased sensitivity, acne and chronic dryness.

One of the skin’s functions is the synthesis of vitamin D (7-dehydrocholestrol), which occurs in the stratum spinosum and stratum basel. If our skin’s barrier is not intact or damaged, the ability to get optimal levels are also impacted. Even though we refer to vitamin D as an essential part of our diets, it is not a traditional vitamin. The sources are limited in our diet. It really is a fat soluble pro-hormone steroid that effects the endocrine system as well as cell communication and proliferation.

In the Treatment Room

Do you have a client who is not responding to treatment or the results are not what you expected? Having a vitamin D deficiency may be part of the problem. In fact, there are studies that show topical application of vitamin D3 helps reverse chronic dryness and decrease skin inflammation. There are specific functions that vitamin D performs in the epidermis, which directly relate to your treatment outcome.

In the skin, vitamin D: inhibits cell proliferation, which can help with skin cancer prevention; increases cell differentiation to help restore a healthy barrier; modulates immunity and improves wound healing by decreasing inflamation and reducing erythema.

Getting More Vitamin D

There are only 3 sources of vitamin D: sunlight, diet and supplementation.

Sunlight. It is estimated that 10-30 minutes of sun exposure twice a week may be enough to help raise vitamin D levels. The caution is that latitude, time of year, color of your skin and even your age will impact your vitamin D levels.

Diet. It is difficult for many people to get adequate levels from diet. Sources include egg yolk, cod liver oil, salmon, tuna fish and beef liver. Due to this, it is common to see "fortified" vitamin D products.

Supplementation. The key is taking vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and not D2 (ergocalciferol) on a daily basis. A common dosage is 4,000 IU, and those over 50 may need to add 800-1000 IU of calcium as well. Always recommend that your client see their doctor before recommending dosage of supplements, as there are multiple drugs that interfere with absorption of this important vitamin.

Use Your Intake

So now you know one of the most common lifestyle or diet concerns that can impact your client’s outcome. The diet and lifestyle section of your intake form will help you identify possible issues so you can educate your client on their options.