Dear Tom,
Although it is said that in Chicago we cannot produce vitamin D from exposure to the
sun during October through April, I sometimes wonder. I have read conflicting reports.
Laurie Black
Dear Laurie,
Oak Park dermatologist Dr. Bryan Schultz tells us that exposure to 5 to 10 minutes of
sunlight (ultraviolet light) in the summer will produce adequate vitamin D in light-skin,
but up to five times as much exposure is required for dark skin.
However, Schultz explains that Chicago's sunlight "... is not usually adequate from late
fall to early spring, thus increasing one's risk for deficiency in the winter. Milk, fortified
juice and salmon are on the very short list of foods supplying vitamin D, so a
multivitamin with 400 I.U. (800-1000 I.U. for older adults) can help, in addition to
allowing one to reduce the aging and carcinogenic effects of UV by using sunscreen."
