We have been led to believe that enjoying the outdoors–or even walking to your car–without being slathered in sunscreen means skin cancer is imminent. While excessive sun, and especially sustaining severe sunburns at a young age, certainly can lead to melanoma, the sun has been unfairly demonized. The fact is, moderate sun exposure can actually prevent cancer.
I’m not talking about frying in the sun. The key here is not to burn! Begin with up to 10 minutes daily if possible in the sun with no sunscreen. That’s right, no sunscreen. Sunscreen is toxic and contains chemicals absorbed by your skin that can cause great toxicity! You can build up to more exposure over time, but don’t stay out longer than 20 minutes.
Sun exposure triggers vitamin D production in the body. Vitamin D has created quite a buzz lately, as deficiency is becoming more and more widespread, especially in higher latitudes, and is being linked with lowered immunity and higher cancer rates. I advise everyone to get vitamin D levels checked. If you live in the upper half of the US or don’t get regular sun exposure, you may be surprised to find that you have low levels.
It’s hard to get vitamin D from foods, so if you do not get regular sun, you must supplement. Cod liver oil is a great source, or a practitioner-recommended supplement taken for a limited period of time will do the trick. Vitamin D is fat soluble, meaning that is is stored in fat cells and can build up to unhealthy levels over time if you over-supplement, which is why it is important to test your levels and work with a practitioner.
So, don’t be afraid to get out in the sun this summer! Remember: do NOT allow yourself to burn. Sunscreen is toxic and interferes with the production of vitamin D. Of course, if you have to be out in the sun for hours, there are certain not-so-toxic sunscreen brands out there. Acceptable brands include Badger, Soleo, and California Baby. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s database to check how toxic your sunscreen products are (www.ewg.org). Increase antioxidant levels (eat more colorful fruits and veggies), which prevent sunburn too.
Now, get out there and bask!
Mary Vance is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and author specializing in digestive health. She combines a science-based approach with natural therapies to rebalance the body. In addition to her 1:1 coaching, she offers courses to help you heal your gut and improve your health. Mary lives in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Read more about her coaching practice here and her background here.
I love the Made from Earth “Pure Aloe Treatment”.
It’s amazing. Here’s a little story:
Last summer was the first summer I noticed the beginning of sun damage. I worshipped the sun from the ages of 13-25. Being from a cold climate in the winter, I often enjoyed months of tanning booths. Even though I tan very easily and darken fast, I also freckle. I am part Italian (the dark skin part) and Irish (the freckle part).
During my second pregnancy, I developed something called a pregnancy mask. All around my cheekbones were dark patches and my freckles darkened everywhere as well. Since I am still nursing, the dark spots have returned this summer. I thought about getting a chemical peel from the doctor, but decided to try different face products first. I have always been a huge fan of finding new skin products.
Over the years, I have bought and tried so many anti-aging items. I clearly did not want to show my age or let sun damage get the best of me. I am 36 years old and have no wrinkles at all; however I do have the discoloration in my skin, thanks to my crazy hormones.
I came upon the Made from Earth PURE ALOE TREATMENT by typing in ‘harmful chemicals in skincare’ in the Google search. I read the reviews and thought I would try this out. I am so glad I did.
I use the Pure Aloe Treatment(works wonders, still have no signs of crow’s feet)and I noticed instant moisture to my face. Since I’m a stay at home mom, I apply this stuff all day long. I had instant results, as my face looked healthy and not dull. My discoloration started to fade and coloring all over has improved greatly. Also, since I don’t have any wrinkles on my face, I could not know if this was great for wrinkles. However, I do get morning creases on my chest (you know.. when you sleep on your side and you wake up in the morning with a big crease between your chest). I apply this on my upper chest at night and the creases do not show up in the morning.
My entire skin looks like it has taken a big glass of milk. Looks dewy and fresh. I love this stuff and will try out the rest of the Made from Earth product line. On top of that, the company that sells this line is very nice and has top customer service.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Energy from the sun actually is a form of radiation. It consists of visible light and other rays that people can’t see. Invisible infrared radiation, for instance, makes sunlight feel hot. UV also is invisible, and causes sunburn and sun tan. UV rays damage DNA, the genetic material that makes up genes. Genes control the growth and overall health of skin cells. If the genetic damage is severe, a normal skin cell may begin to grow in the uncontrolled, disorderly way of cancer cells. UV also can cause sunburn, and other damage that makes the skin look prematurely old and wrinkled..
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