Does Sunblock cause Vitamin D deficiency?

We're all familiar with the dangers of sun exposure, skin cancer, and harmful UV rays. We buy special sunglasses that block UV-A and UV-B rays. We buy high SPF sunscreen to help block that dangerous, damaging sunlight. But now, vitamin D deficiency and the problems caused by the disease is on the rise. Sunlight is crucial because the UV rays are the only way to synthesize vitamin D in your body. You can drink vitamin D milk but if you don't get out into the sun, it never becomes available in your body. Low vitamin D causes problems such as a poor immune system, bone deformities, and many other issues.A study found that sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 reduces the capacity of the skin to produce vitamin D3 by over 95%!Are people stuck between a rock and a hard place? I think common sense prevails in such situations. If you plan on being out in the sun for an extended period of time (the kind of length where sun tanning can occur) it may be best to go ahead and apply sunscreen. It was found that most people don't apply it completely and it's recommended to apply every 20 minutes.Perhaps vitamin D deficiency comes from the lack of sunlight for many office workers, who get up and go to the office before the sun comes up, and come home after the sun goes down. A little bit of sun during your office breaks would be a sensible idea.To learn more about vitamin D deficiency and sunscreen, visit the debate page at Do Suncreen Benefits Outweigh Vitamin D Needs? where the pros and cons of this issue are described in more detail.