Vitamin D, Sunscreen and the Honest Trade-Off
Vitamin D is synthesised in skin on UVB exposure, and consistent sun protection reduces that synthesis. Deficiency is common at higher
2 September 2026Read →
Biotin, zinc, vitamins A, C, D and E, folate, B12, iodine, choline and inositol: what each does, at what dose, in which form.
Vitamin D is synthesised in skin on UVB exposure, and consistent sun protection reduces that synthesis. Deficiency is common at higher
Vitamin C is required by the enzymes that stabilise collagen, and it works in the antioxidant network alongside vitamin E. The adult RD
Zinc is a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes and its deficiency causes a well-described skin eruption, poor wound healing and hair loss.
Biotin is a cofactor for carboxylase enzymes in fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Deficiency causes hair loss and brittle nails, bu
The adult adequate intake for choline is 425 to 550 mg. An amount of 0.04 mg is roughly one ten-thousandth of that, and panels are requ
Inositol is a sugar alcohol involved in cell signalling, studied mostly in PCOS and metabolic health at two to four grams daily. It has
Natural d-alpha-tocopherol is roughly twice as biologically active as the synthetic dl- form, which is a racemic mixture. Labels print
Pantothenic acid is the precursor to coenzyme A, which the body uses to synthesise the lipids that make up the skin's moisture barrier.
Iodine is required for thyroid hormone, and both too little and too much cause thyroid problems. The adult RDA is 150 mcg, and suppleme
Methylcobalamin is an already-active form; cyanocobalamin is cheaper and must be converted. Both raise B12 status, but the choice signa
Folic acid is absorbed more efficiently than food folate, so labels convert using dietary folate equivalents. 260 mcg of folic acid equ