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he name of Susan E. Brown is an important one to members of the indoor tanning industry. The medical anthropologist and certified nutritionist, who directs The Osteoporosis Education Project and the Nutrition Education and Consulting Service in Syracuse, NY, believes that the benefits of moderate UV exposure far outweigh the risks. She contends that humans have evolved in sunlight, and every cell in our bodies has mechanisms designed to react to exposure to ultraviolet light and produce vitamin D. “This current state of sun phobia has gone too far!” Brown exclaimed. “It’s gotten to the point where it’s negatively affecting people’s health.”

Vitamin D is what brought Brown and the Indoor Tanning Industry together. She was introduced to the ITA through a mutual acquaintance – the well-known and highly respected Dr. Michael F. Holick, considered one of the foremost experts on vitamin D production in the body. Finally, vitamin D production plays a big role in Brown’s latest efforts to use lifestyle nutrition to help reduce osteoporotic fractures, also known as bone fragility. “Raising the vitamin D levels in the body is the best way for people to help prevent osteoporotic fractures because it is needed to absorb calcium in the body, which helps make healthy bones,” she said. “The most simple and cost effective way to increase vitamin D is through moderate exposure to UV light. By raising the vitamin D levels within the body, people could reduce fractures between 20 to 40 percent.”

The ITA is pleased to partner with Dr. Brown and the Osteoporosis Education Project. “This is a perfect fit for our industry,” said John Overstreet, ITA Executive Director. “Millions of young women visit indoor tanning salons every year, and by helping Dr. Brown reach this audience, we can assist an outstanding organization accomplish a very important public health mission.” The ITA took the opportunity to introduce Brown to the tanning industry at the World Expo 2005 in Nashville. Located strategically at the ITA exhibit booth, she met with hundreds of tanning salon professionals during the three days of the Expo, and gave out copies of her book, “Better Bones, Better Body,” which is a self-help program for preventing, halting and overcoming osteoporosis.
The ITA also co-sponsored a Public Service Announcement with the Osteoporosis Education Foundation to raise public awareness about the importance of good bone health – the organization debuted an informative poster at its World Expo, and plans to send one to all salon pros who signed up for it at the show.

In addition to working with the ITA, Brown will also be collaborating with the UV Foundation, who’s very excited to be working with her. “The UVF Foundation’s alignment with Dr. Brown and the Osteoporosis Education Project is another example of our efforts to demonstrate the good things that can be achieved by exposing the human body to UV energy,” said Jim Shepherd, UV Foundation President. “Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, and results from Vitamin D deficiency, which can be corrected with proper UV exposure.”