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KELOWNA, BC – The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) recognizes November as the beginning of “Vitamin D Winter” – a period when sun exposure in all of Canada is too weak to trigger the natural production of vitamin D in human skin. “A consequence of living in Canada is that our climate does not allow us to make any vitamin D at least four months out of the year, and six months out of the year is you live as far north as Edmonton,” JCTA Executive Director Steve Gilroy said. “This is no doubt why 97 percent of Canadians don’t get enough vitamin D, according to University of Calgary research.” Indoor tanning is the most abundant source of vitamin D, closely replicating the UV output of natural sunlight.

“There is no other natural source of vitamin D that even comes close to what your body will produce and store from a full-body suntan,” Gilroy said. “A suntan can make as much vitamin D as 100 glasses of whole milk.” Indoor tanning lamps that emit some UVB light (90 percent of tanning equipment does) have been shown by peer-reviewed research to stimulate vitamin D production in the skin and elevate blood levels of vitamin D in the body. While it may not be necessary to develop a tan to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D, and while dietary supplements are an alternative, sun exposure is the body’s natural way to produce vitamin D and indoor tanning clients have 90 percent higher vitamin D levels as compared to non-tanners, according to Boston University research (Most recent publication: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, March 2008). About the JCTA The Joint Canadian Tanning Association (JCTA) is a national non-profit organization created to increase understanding of the professional tanning industry’s scientifically supported position that regular moderate ultraviolet exposure from sunshine or sunbeds in a non-burning fashion is part of a responsible lifestyle that recognizes both the inherent benefits and the manageable risks associated with ultraviolet light exposure. For further information: Steve Gilroy, ATP, Executive Director, T: (800) 915-0367 Ext 101, C: (250) 863-8765, www.tancanada.org E: info@TanCanada.org Sources of Vitamin D Vitamin D Content UVB exposure from sunlight or indoor tanning* 10,000 – 20,000 IU Cod Liver Oil (1 tsp.) 400 – 1,000 IU Salmon (fresh, wild, 3.5 oz.) 600 – 1,000 IU Salmon (farmed, 3.5 oz.) 100-250 IU Fortified Milk (8 oz.) 100 IU Fortified orange juice (8 oz.) 100 IU * A full-body suntan without a sunburn. Variables include age, amount of skin exposed to sunlight. A dark-skinned individual may need 5-10 times more sun exposure to make the same amount of vitamin D as a fair-skinned person. Source: Dr. Michael Holick