Does light therapy aid in the production of vitamin D?

The answer to the above question is straightforward; no, light therapy does not facilitate the production of vitamin D. We explain below how your body does produce vitamin D and what the daylight lamp can be used for.

How is vitamin D produced?

Your body produces vitamin D through, among other things, the UVB radiation from the sun. This radiation does not come from a daylight lamp. There are sunbeds that emit UVB radiation, but this is not very good for your skin. A single sunbed session exposes your skin to as much UV radiation as a day at the beach (!), and research has shown that people who use sunbeds have a higher risk of skin cancer (source: kvf). Therefore, it may be advisable to take vitamin D supplements during the darker days. This ensures that your body receives sufficient vitamin D in a safe manner.

What light therapy is beneficial for

Light therapy, or using a Litebook when you wake up, can help reduce autumn/winter blues (source: pubmed). The light from the Litebook lamps focuses on the most effective wavelength of light to positively influence your body's biological clock and the production of serotonin (the happiness hormone) and melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body, also known as the sleep hormone. It is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain and helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

When to use the light lamp

Daylight aids in the production of serotonin. If, for some reason, you do not spend much time outdoors and therefore do not see much daylight, it may be helpful to sit in front of a daylight lamp in the morning when you wake up. This way, you can maintain your serotonin levels and prevent a dip.

Author: Sanne van der Rijt