Apparatus and Method for Producing Vitamin D in a Person

Abstract

A kit for enhancing production of Vitamin D within a person's skin includes a source of Vitamin D, a sunlight exposure indicator, and a sunscreen. Vitamin D, for example, cod liver oil, is applied to the skin topically via a patch or towlette, or ingested orally. The exposure indicator is worn by the user and changes its state to indicate that the person has been exposed to sunlight for a predetermined period of time. The user preferably waits a sufficient time for the Vitamin D to be absorbed into the skin, and then exposes his or her skin to direct sunlight, and monitors the exposure indicator to determine if it has changed state. The user applies the sunscreen to the user's skin after the exposure indicator changes state.

1 . A method for enhancing production of Vitamin D within a person's skin while protecting the person from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) administering Vitamin D to the person;   b) providing the person with an exposure indicator that changes its state to indicate that the person has been exposed to sunlight for a predetermined period of time;   c) securing the exposure indicator to the user's person;   d) exposing the person's skin to direct sunlight;   e) monitoring the exposure indicator to determine if it has changed state; and   f) applying sunscreen to the person's skin after the indicator has changed state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of administering Vitamin D includes the step of administering Vitamin D orally to the person. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of administering Vitamin D includes the step of applying Vitamin D topically to the person's skin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically to the person's skin includes topical application of cod liver oil. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically to the person's skin includes topical application of cholecalciferol (Vitamin D-3). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically includes the step of securing a patch to the user's skin, the patch having Vitamin D absorbed therein. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically includes the step of wiping the person's skin with a towlette saturated with Vitamin D. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically includes the step of applying Vitamin D to at least one forearm of the person. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of applying Vitamin D topically includes the step of applying Vitamin D approximately fifteen to sixty minutes before exposing the person's skin to direct sunlight. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the exposure indicator changes its state after being exposed to direct sunlight for a period ranging between approximately 8 minutes and 16 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for enhancing production of Vitamin D within a person's skin while protecting the person from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, the kit comprising in combination:
 a) a source of Vitamin D;   b) an exposure indicator that changes its state to indicate exposure to sunlight for a predetermined period of time; and   c) a sunscreen for application to the person's skin after the indicator has changed state.   
     
     
         12 . The kit recited by  claim 11  wherein the source of Vitamin D may be ingested. 
     
     
         13 . The kit recited by  claim 11  wherein the source of Vitamin D is a topically-applied patch. 
     
     
         14 . The kit recited by  claim 13  wherein the patch is saturated with cod liver oil. 
     
     
         15 . The kit recited by  claim 13  wherein the patch includes an adhesive layer for securing the patch to the person's skin. 
     
     
         16 . The kit recited by  claim 11  wherein the source of Vitamin D is a towlette. 
     
     
         17 . The kit recited by  claim 16  wherein the towlette is saturated with cod liver oil. 
     
     
         18 . The kit recited by  claim 11  wherein the exposure indicator has adhesive layer for securing the exposure indicator to the person. 
     
     
         19 . The kit recited by  claim 11  wherein the sunscreen is saturated within a towlette for wiping on the person's skin.