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Founder Ashley Harmon struggled with chronic fatigue, digestive issues, and skin breakouts for years. Eventually, Harmon was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). But after trying different vitamins to no avail, she decided to dedicate her life to creating her own supplements to close the health gap for women of color.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to “an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and poor mood and energy. In black women, the deficiency has also been linked to an increased risk of developing bacterial vaginosis (vaginal infection).
According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s scientifically proven that it’s harder for Black people to “naturally meet the recommended daily intake of vitamin D.” “Melanin is a great way to protect us from skin cancer, but in protecting us from skin cancer, it blocks the UVB rays our bodies need to make vitamin D,” says Dr. Alexa Mises-Marczak, a board-certified physician at One Medical in North Carolina.
“That means we have to work a little harder to get enough sunlight to make vitamin D. So our melanin is saving us, but we have to fight back against it. [it] “You only need a little bit of vitamin D to get it,” Dr. Malchak continued.
“When it comes to sun, fair-skinned people can get the amount of vitamin D they need with about 20 minutes of direct sunlight without sunscreen,” Malchak added. “Meanwhile, people with dark skin need at least 30 to 40 minutes of exposure, depending on the amount of melanin in their skin, to get the amount of sunlight they need to make vitamin D.”
One way Black people can alleviate this deficiency is through supplements. Recognizing this need, Harmon developed MelaVitamin and Melanin, the First Multivitamin for Women, to prioritize the health of the Black community.
“The health care industry has a long history of racism and exploitation, and Black people continue to face bias in healthcare, underrepresentation in clinical research, and a lack of effective preventive care products,” Harmon told Essence. “This history also creates generational mistrust, leaving many in our communities without access to preventive care, chronic disease management, or even vitamins.”
“Racism in healthcare and everyday life not only creates mistrust, but literally harms our health. Through our work at Melavitamins, we are committed to addressing these disparities by recognizing and considering the unique nutritional needs of people with melanin,” Harmon said. “We know that genetics, socioeconomic factors and high stress levels play important roles in health outcomes, and we are committed to solving these challenges in our community.”
“We believe our supplements are a step towards building a healthier foundation for communities of color by not only addressing health risk factors and nutritional needs, but also by providing education campaigns that build awareness and trust,” Harmon said.
