Dr. Carolyn Turbyfill

Humans developed different skin colors as they moved to different climates to protect our reproductive capabilities. This is one of Nature’s delicate risk management approaches.

Melanin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D and Sun Exposure Affect Reproduction

What does Melanin do for us? In large amounts it prevents sunburn and skin cancer. Unfortunately, Melanin also breaks down Folate, Folate is an essential B vitamin needed for cell division and producing new DNA.  Pregnant women require large amounts of Folate to produce healthy babies, ( Folate Requirements and Sources for Pregnant Women ).

If you live in a place sunny and warm enough to bare lots of your lovely dark skin to the Sun, you are also able to produce Vitamin D which requires Sun Exposure.

But, if you live in a region with much less sun, you need lighter skin to be able to make enough Vitamin D, (Vitamin D Requirements for Pregnant Women).  The tradeoff is that lighter skinned people are more prone to skin cancer.

Why don’t Eskimo’s have light skin? In evolutionary time – they are very recent inhabitants of Northern Alaska. Their diets rich in fish and mammals provide the Vitamin D they need.  Sources and Requirements for Vitamin D from the NIH

It has been recently discovered that mushrooms can provide as much Vitamin D as a supplement, as long as they are put in the Sun for 1 hour before eating them.
Mushrooms that are Sunned are one of the few Vegetarian Sources of Vitamin D

Skin color evolved to perpetuate our species. Now that we understand the issues – we can protect everyone from Sun burn – even dark skin burns and ages with sun exposure. We can protect pregnant women with dietary supplements and proper nutrition.

Nature’s tradeoffs aren’t perfect.  We have not evolved as quickly as our species migrated to cover our planet.  Of course,  Risk Management tradeoffs are, by definition, not perfect.  The movement to Risk Management from Pass/Fail Audits reflects our evolving awareness that risk management tradeoffs can be optimized but can never eliminate risk.