Ok, so what bothers me the most about this article is that he is only stating half-truths. He failed to mention that of those thousands of cases of Melanoma, a lot of them were caused more by heredity and overexposure to UV light than a moderated amount of UV exposure. They have found no link between tanning in moderation and Melanoma. He also says that there is nothing good about tanning. What about the fact that exposure to UV light is the only way for your body to produce the natural vitamin-d that it needs to fight off illness and disease. Oh wait, he probably didn't mention that because he would rather prescribe a supplement that you can actually overdose on. However, if you get your vitamin-d naturally, through UV exposure, your body quits producing the vitamin-d when you have reached an appropriate level. With supplements your body has no way of regulating your intake. Instead, any excess vitamin-d then collects in your fat cells and can reach toxic levels. Which in turn can cause the following:

• Elevated levels of calcium in the blood, resulting from an increase in the absorption of calcium in the intestinal tract
• Abnormally large deposition of amounts of phosphate and calcium in soft tissue such as the lungs, heart and kidneys. These deposits can cause irreversible organ malfunction.
• Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite and loss of weight
• High blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities and increased risk of heart disease
• Kidney stones and renal failure
• Excessive production of urine
• An overdose of Vitamin D in pregnant women can cause mental or physical retardation in babies.

• Other symptoms include:
  • Bone pain and even bone loss
  • Muscular weakness and fatigue
  • Nervousness and irritability
  • Excessive thirst, dehydration
  • Severe headache
  • Deafness
  • Itchy skin

Vitamin D overdose typically happens over a period of time rather than from a single large dose. According to the National Institutes of Health, the Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for the vitamin D are as follows:

• Birth to 12 months of age: 25 micrograms (1,000 IU)
• One year of age or older: 50 micrograms (2,000 IU)

Studies have also shown that, taken over long periods of time, consumption of vitamin D in amounts above the UL will result in toxicity. For children under the age of 12 months, a sustained intake of 1,000 micrograms (40,000 IU) a day will produce toxicity in just one to four months. For adults, 2,500 micrograms (100,000 IU) a day may result in toxicity in a few months.

The other downfall to these studies is that doctors can't seem to agree on how much vitamin-D a person should have on a daily basis. It seems as though they are changing the recommended daily IU intake regularly. Why would you want to risk the chance of overdosing when there is a natural way to receive the exact right amount through UV exposure.

It has been said that a 10 minute session in a tanning bed is equal to 1,000 glasses of milk.

Also, if there is nothing good about tanning and UV exposure then why do thousands of dermatologists prescribe tanning to patients with psoriasis, exzema, acne, and other skin conditions? And why do doctors prescribe tanning to patients with depression and other mood disorders?

I think that instead of a full on assault on the tanning industry, perhaps your time would be better served petitioning the government for stricter regulations on tanning. If every salon owner was made to be certified and licensed prior to opening a tanning salon and made to follow the tanning schedules provided by the manufacturer of their tanning beds, then I would be willing to bet my life savings that the incidence of Melanoma and similar skin cancers would drastically decrease. It is too easy for someone to go to a salon that doesn't care about their health and repeatedly burn themselves in a tanning bed. Thus, increasing their rish of such diseases. I'm not saying that tanning in completely risk free, that would be ridiculous but so is saying that it has NO benefits. I just think that every tanning salon owner should be required to educate their clients on both the risks AND the possible benefits.

Aw, anon-13, I believe that we have crossed paths before on comment boards. And you may be surprised that I agree with you on a few points.

You are correct that other causes of melanoma include heredity and suppressed immune system but most are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Many research studies have proven this to be true and you know that.

Yes, you are also correct that vitamin D is vital to our well-being but we don't need tanning beds to get it ... and you know that too. Even the Indoor Tanning Association has this posted on their web site: "You do not need to become tan for your skin to make Vitamin D.  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation may increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer and can cause serious eye injury." I think you are confusing "tanning" (OVERexposure to UV rays) with moderate exposure to sunlight. A tan indicates damaged skin and damaged DNA. There is NO SUCH THING AS A HEALTHY TAN.

Thank you, Dr. Caplan, for your comments regarding the risks of using tanning beds. I am one of the grieving family members that the indoor tanning industry wishes would just shut up and go away. My daughter Jaime was diagnosed with melanoma at age 20 after being a frequent fryer as a teen. She died from this horrific cancer when she was 29 following a painful but hard-fought battle. Jaime would be the first to tell everyone if she could that no tan is worth dying for!