Vitamin D status and sun exposure in India

Background: Little if any cutaneous production of vitamin D(3) occurs at latitudes above and below 35° N and 35° S during the winter months. It was postulated that those residing in tropics synthesize enough vitamin D(3) year round. Several studies have documented the effect of latitude, season and time of the day on the cutaneous production of vitamin D(3) in an ampoule model. Studies from India have shown high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency despite abundant sunshine. Methods: We studied the influence of season and time of the day on synthesis of previtamin D(3) in an ampoule model in Tirupati, (latitude 13.40° N and longitude 77.2° E) south India, between May 2007 to August 2008. Sealed borosilicate glass ampoules containing 50 μg of 7-DHC in 1 ml of methanol were exposed to sunlight hourly from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The percent conversion of 7-DHC to previtamin D(3) and its photoproducts and the percent of previtamin D(3) and vitamin D(3) formed was estimated and related to solar zenith angle. Results: The percent conversion of 7-DHC to previtamin D(3) and its photoproducts and formation of previtamin D(3) and vitamin D(3) was maximal between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. of the day during the entire year (median 11.5% and 10.2% respectively at 12.30 p.m.). Conclusions: Therefore at this latitude exposure to sunlight between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will promote vitamin D production in the skin year round.