Nearly 64 percent of Americans surveyed are unaware sunscreen hinders the body's ability to produce vitamin D - a nutrient found to support the immune system, bone strength, colon health and more.* The survey was conducted by WELLESSE, manufacturers of a liquid vitamin D3 supplement.

"Vitamin D is important to overall health. People need to be aware that sunscreen, even at SPF15, blocks more than 90 percent of the sun's rays used to produce this vital vitamin," warns Dr. Michael Holick, MD, PhD of Boston University.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that the public obtain vitamin D from nutritional sources and dietary supplements, and not from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning devises, as UV radiation is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer. (1)

For optimal health, regular sunscreen users should consider nutritional vitamin D sources from their diet. But often dietary sources, including mackerel, sardines, salmon or fortified milk are not frequently consumed by Americans in the amounts needed to satisfy the daily allowance. An option is a liquid supplement such as Wellesse Liquid Vitamin D3 which is easy to swallow and provides flexible dosing for the whole family. The Recommended Daily Value for Vitamin D is 400 IU for adults. Holick notes, "Myself and other experts in vitamin D research recommend between 1000-2000 IU/day depending on your age and diet."

Vitamin D deficiency has garnered the attention of leading scientific and public health organizations. In April, The Archives of Internal Medicine reported that over 75 percent of Americans have vitamin D insufficiency.(2) Last fall, The American Public Health Association called Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency "a major public health concern for both children and adults in the United States." (3)

Populations who may need additional vitamin D, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements include breastfed infants, people ages 50 and older, those with limited sun exposure, with dark skin, with fat mal-absorption and the obese.

Wellesse liquid Vitamin D3 is convenient for the whole family. It is available at Walgreens, Costco, Vitacost.com, Drugstore.com, and Amazon.com. Suggested retail price is $6.89 for a 16-ounce bottle.

About WELLESSE(R)

For more than 20 years, Wellesse (http://www.wellesse.com) has developed liquid nutritional supplements and that support health and wellness. The line of liquid dietary supplements includes the nation's best-selling liquid glucosamine concentrate, Joint Movement Glucosamine(R), liquid Vitamin D3 and liquid Calcium. For up-to-date information vital to your health, read the Wellesse blog http://blog.wellesse.com, follow on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/wellesse or become a fan on Facebook http://www.wellesseonfacebook.com. Products are manufactured by Botanical Laboratories, Inc. in Ferndale, Wash.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure
or prevent any disease.

(1) American Academy of Dermatology position statement 11/01/08 updated 7/15/09.
(2) Archives of Internal Medicine 2009;169(6):626-632. http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1367