UV Light Therapy: What Is It, and How Does It Work

With more people than ever spending a majority of their time indoors, many individuals have difficulty maintaining their vitamin D levels through natural sun exposure. As a result, interest in other alternatives, such as UV light therapy devices, has grown. These devices bring UV light indoors and have the potential to enable our bodies to produce vitamin D in a way that is ancestrally consistent, much like the sun in the natural world. Everybody's question is: How effective is UV light therapy? And how does it work?

To understand the efficacy of UV light therapy, we must first understand how our body naturally produces vitamin D. When our skin is exposed to UVB light, either from sunlight or specific light therapy devices (such as the D-Light), our body is able to use the UV light to sulfate cholesterol and make vitamin D.

As time spent indoors has grown, particularly during winters or in regions with minimal sunlight exposure, UV light therapy (the light that's needed to sulfate cholesterol and make vitamin D) has emerged as a viable solution to address widespread vitamin D deficiency. Studies have demonstrated that controlled use of these UV light sources can stimulate vitamin D synthesis in our skin, just like natural sunlight.

Why Not Vitamin D Supplements?

Did you know that UV light exposure decreases cholesterol levels which increases vitamin D levels? When we make vitamin D from the sun, using UV light, we "use up" cholesterol to make vitamin D through sulfation. When we take vitamin D supplements, we do not sulfate cholesterol and miss this vital process that could increase cholesterol levels. The body is complex and does not waste energy. Our body is designed to make vitamin D utilizing UV light. When we take exogenous vitamin D supplements, we are not making vitamin D the way nature intended.

There are several other important reasons why natural vitamin D production through UV exposure may be preferable to supplementation:

Bioavailability and Absorption: When our bodies produce vitamin D through UV exposure, the process is naturally regulated and the vitamin D is more bioavailable. The body can control the amount produced and stop production when sufficient levels are reached. With supplements, absorption can be inconsistent and may depend on various factors like meal timing and fat content.
Additional Health Benefits: UV exposure that leads to vitamin D production also triggers other beneficial biological processes. Research has shown that UV exposure can help regulate circadian rhythms, produce endorphins, and generate nitric oxide in the skin, which can help lower blood pressure. These benefits are missed when only taking supplements.
Natural Feedback Mechanisms: The body has sophisticated feedback mechanisms that prevent overdosage when vitamin D is produced through UV exposure. With supplements, it's possible to take too much, which can lead to vitamin D toxicity, causing problems like hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels).
Cost-Effective Long-Term Solution: While supplements require ongoing purchases and regular consumption, UV light therapy can be a one-time investment that provides years of natural vitamin D production capability, similar to getting it from sunlight.
Complete Vitamin D Complex: When the body produces vitamin D from UV exposure, it creates various vitamin D metabolites and isomers, not just D3 (which is what most supplements contain). These different forms may have additional biological functions that we're still discovering.

However, it's important to note that both UV therapy and supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare provider, as individual needs vary based on factors such as geographical location, skin type, health conditions, and lifestyle. The goal is to achieve optimal vitamin D levels through the most appropriate means for each individual's circumstances.

What Are the Signs of Low Vitamin D?

Some common signs of low vitamin D you can watch out for are:

Persistent fatigue - You may feel unusually tired throughout the day, even after getting adequate sleep. This fatigue doesn't improve with rest and can affect your daily activities.
Weak muscles - You might experience muscle weakness, particularly in your legs and arms. Activities like climbing stairs or lifting objects may become more challenging than usual.
Bone pain - Chronic aches and pain in your bones, especially in your back, ribs, legs, and hips, could indicate vitamin D deficiency. This pain is often described as a deep, penetrating ache rather than surface-level soreness.
Frequent infections - If you find yourself catching colds, flu, or other infections more often than usual, this could be due to vitamin D's crucial role in supporting immune system function.
Hair loss - While hair loss can have many causes, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. Even without alopecia, insufficient vitamin D levels may contribute to increased hair shedding.
Delayed wound healing - Cuts, scrapes, and other wounds may take longer than usual to heal due to vitamin D's role in skin repair and regeneration.

Additional signs that might indicate low vitamin D levels include:

Depression or mood changes - Research has shown a strong connection between low vitamin D levels and mood disorders, particularly during winter months.
Increased joint pain - Vitamin D helps maintain bone health and reduce inflammation, so deficiency can lead to increased joint discomfort.
Changes in sleep patterns - Low vitamin D levels may affect sleep quality and quantity, leading to insomnia or irregular sleep patterns.
Dental problems - Since vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, deficiency can lead to weakened tooth enamel and increased risk of cavities.
Unexplained weight gain - Some studies suggest that low vitamin D levels might interfere with leptin, a hormone that signals fullness to your brain.

It's important to note that these symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually over time. They may also be associated with other health conditions, which is why proper medical testing is essential for accurate diagnosis. If you experience several of these symptoms, especially if they persist over time, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider who can order appropriate blood tests to check your vitamin D levels.

Most health practitioners currently screen for vitamin D deficiency as a standard, having realized its pervasive impact on overall health. The increased consciousness has generated interest in finding appropriate treatment methods, including using UV light therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I use UV light therapy each day?

Most manufacturers recommend 10-15 minutes of exposure 2-3 times weekly. However, the optimal duration depends on your skin type, distance from the lamp, and current vitamin D levels. Always start with shorter sessions and consult your healthcare provider. If using our Chroma D-Light device, please refer to the safety and instructions manual as our effective use times are significantly shorter.

Can vitamin D lamps replace natural sunlight completely?

While UV light therapy can help supplement your vitamin D needs, no light devices are a replacement for the huge nuclear reactor in the sky - prioritizing natural sunlight exposure should come first, with UV light therapy being a supportive modality.

How do I know if a vitamin D lamp is working?

The most reliable way to determine effectiveness is through regular blood tests measuring vitamin D levels. Physical mood, energy levels, and general well-being improvements may also indicate positive results.