Let Some Sunshine In

Getting our quota of vitamin D becomes more important as we age.

- Jennifer Bowden

Question: In older people, our skin becomes thinner and less protective-"like tissue paper" is a common pharse.Is the ability of skin to produce vitamin D significantly compromised as the skin ages?

We live in a culture obsessed with youth; advertisements for “anti-ageing treatments” are an everyday reality. And the subconscious message we’re bombarded with is entirely clear – we should fight and avoid ageing at all costs. But why? Sure, ageing brings with it a number of changes that make maintaining good health more challenging, but it would be wrong to think of it as a disease.

A more realistic and helpful approach is to focus on how we can maintain health throughout our lifespan, embrace the changes that occur in our body and look for solutions to manage their effects.

As you’ve noted, our skin changes as we age. In fact, its thickness decreases from about age 20 – so it’s a long process. And, given vitamin D production occurs in the skin, it’s valid to ask whether these changes affect production later in life.