Research has been conducted involving the use of a tanning bed and vitamin D. It has been proven that individuals that use a tanning bed have higher blood levels of vitamin D than individuals that prefer to sunbathe on the beach or in their own backyards. One hundred and sixty five adults were used during the study. Of all 165, they had a 90% higher average of vitamin D concentration in their blood.

During this study, it was also proven that individuals that visited a tanning saloon at least once per week for 6 months or over had a greater bone density in the hip area. This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study itself was partly funded by the UV Foundation, which is funded by the Indoor Tanning Association.

Our bodies naturally have Vitamin D in our skin and when we are exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, our bodies begin a chemical process that creates the usable portion of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is one of those essential vitamins that our bodies need. Vitamin D helps with proper calcium absorption wish is necessary for bone health. Other research has shown that Vitamin D also helps protect our bodies against certain types of cancers and some autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. The problem comes in when you also learn that UV radiation is one of the major sources of skin cancer. Now, how much artificial sun should you really get from a tanning bed and Vitamin D?

The idea is that your body does need a certain amount of Vitamin D and receiving it from a tanning bed can be healthy. It all comes down to exactly how much is needed and how much is too much. Of course, if you stay in the tanning bed until you have received a burn this is not good for your skin. However, visiting a tanning salon or tanning in your own tanning bed at home on a regular basis should give you the extra Vitamin D you need for added health benefits. Remember, everything in excess can be bad for your health. Just use your common sense and your health will improve with your tanning bed while pumping up your vitamin D concentration. If you have more questions concerning tanning beds and vitamin D, you should contact your doctor. He should be able to explain the benefits.