Benefits of Tanning Determined To Defend Vitamin D Production?

What role does tanning have in the production of Vitamin D production? In areas where Vitamin D production is hindered by low levels of sunlight, can tanning defend Vitamin D production and benefit better health?

Vitamin D is produced in the body when UV rays strike the skin. Cholesterol produced by the liver are used as raw material in this production process.

As some studies have suggested that natural production of Vitamin D outweighs the benefits of Vitamin D from food sources, is it possible that tanning may offer health benefits for people who do not spend time in the sun or those living in areas where seasonal conditions obscure the sunlight for extended periods of time?

While this may be a possible benefit of tanning in an effort to "defend" Vitamin D production, it should also be noted that only about 15 minutes of full body sun exposure are necessary to provide the daily sunlight necessary to produce sufficient levels of Vitamin D. Extended UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer and may also prematurely age the skin. These factors should be considered when researching the benefits of tanning and its determination to defend Vitamin D production.