The Fun in the Sun Survival Guide
6/2/08
Summer is here! The sun is out and most people I know either worship the sun like a golden idol or avoid it like a deadly plague. It is possible to enjoy the sun and its many health benefits without the awful consequences of wrinkled skin or worse yet, cancer. Read on to make sure you are ready to enjoy a healthy summer in the sun.
Please don't let this happen to you!!!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Only one comes to mind when I remember this ill-fated South Beach vacation. "OUCH!"
Those who were with me that day remember that I actually did have SPF 30 on (a commercial brand that obviously did not work). My sexy South Beach vacation ruined (barring the gratuitous offers from guys on the beach hoping to assist with my aloe application), I had to investigate why this happened and how I could prevent it in the future. How could this be? I followed all of the advice of the "experts".
What I have since found in my research is that there is just as much misinformation, driven by either corporate greed or ignorance, in the sunscreen industry as there is in food and pharmaceuticals. I believe that I am one of the best authorities on appropriate sun intake and protection because: a) I am committed to giving the most accurate holistic health information to my clients free from commercial interests, b) I am a total outdoors enthusiast and love the beach, the ocean, watersports, etc. and c) I am one of the palest people you will ever meet. (I actually won the "worst tan" competition while on Spring Break in Jamaica.) Anyone who has been in hot climates with me knows I do not fool around when it comes to sun protection. Now that my skin has just about forgiven me for the mishap pictured above, it is time to share what I have learned with you. Some of this information is nothing short of infuriating so hold on to your seats, take some deep breaths and get ready for some "Serenity Nows!"
A note of caution: If you are in the care of a physician for cancer, autoimmune disease or any condition involving photosensitivity, or are using medications such as accutane, retin-A or birth control pills, where the side effects are decreased tolerance to the sun, please follow your doctor's orders with regard to sun exposure. If you are unsure in any way, please ask your doctor.
That being said, let's move right along.
Sunscreen does not prevent cancer.
Yes you read that right. In fact, according to Dr. Mercola of www.mercola.com, "sunscreen actually promotes cancer by blocking your body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, and therefore blocking the production of Vitamin D in your skin." The sun helps your body convert cholesterol into Vitamin D, specifically Vitamin D3 which is the exact form your body needs for the optimal functioning of your organs and cells. In fact, in Richard Hobday's book, "The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century" he discusses the fact that sunlight has been shown to prevent and/or heal almost all cancers, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, depression and osteoporosis.
Dr. Mercola continues to point out that many commercial sunscreens "are likely carcinogens all by themselves." They contain many toxic chemicals and according to a study in the April 2004 Journal of Chromatography, there is "significant penetration of all sunscreen agents. . .into the skin."
This is true. When it comes to cosmetics, a good rule of thumb is "if you wouldn't eat it, don't put it on your skin" because your skin eats it! Many of the sunscreens I saw in Duane Reade had a note to call Poison Control or seek immediate medical attention if their product was ingested. Not good and I can see why Poison Control would be needed. Some of the Neutrogena sunscreens had phthalates in them. In case you were not aware phthlates have been banned in Europe because they have been shown to harm the reproductive organs and fetal development in animals, and damage the liver, kidneys and lungs. They are perfectly legal here and are also found in other cosmetics as well as children's toys and "adult toys." Can the FDA please wake up and smell the coffee? Banana Boat Baby sunscreen has parabens in it. Parabens are preservatives used to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life. They are also known carcinogens. Please do not put this on your baby! (Not to mention babies should always be in the shade). I found all sorts of toxins (whose names I will list later) in ALL of these commerical brands.
Commerical sunscreen can actually cause cancer.
Almost every sunscreen of a major commercial brand in Duane Reade was "Dermatologist/Pediatrician recommended" and actually had The American Cancer Society logo on their package. Rather, they PAID to have The American Cancer Society (ACS) logo on their package and in turn the ACS runs tons of "public service" ads encouraging the use of sunscreen. All of these products have known carcinogens in them, yet the two groups who benefit from these lies, the cancer industry and the sunscreen manufacturers, keep us conveniently in the dark to truths that could enhance our health and keep us from being sick and possibly dying! The truth is that moderate sun exposure IS healthy, and according to Dr. Mercola, it is known to do the following:
- Support cardiovascular health
- Promote optimal cholesterol levels
- Enhance your muscle strength
- Produce optimal blood pressure levels
- Help maintain a healthy immune system
- Support healthy kidney function
- Promote healthy teeth
- Help keep your bones strong and healthy
It is much healthier to boost your body's internal sunscreen by consuming foods rich in anti-oxidants such as fresh organic vegetables, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, goji berries, microalgae (such as spirulina and blue-green algae) and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil, salmon, sardines, free-range organic eggs, and grass-fed organic red meat. In 2001, the National Academy of Sciences published studies showing that maintaining the proper Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio in one's diet is the key to preventing skin cancer. The ideal Omega-3 to Omega-6 fats is 1:1 which means you should also limit your intake of foods high in Omega-6 fats such as corn oil, soy oil, safflower and sunflower oil. And don't even dream of touching trans-fatty acids (anything that is hydrogenated).
Now I am not suggesting that if you eat the above foods and supplements that you can go out and sunbathe all day every day. You must exercise due caution. At the beginning of the season go outside a little at a time and gradually build up your exposure. Use clothing and shade (buy a good umbrella at the beach) to protect yourself when you know you have had enough. They key is to never get burned. In fact, it has been shown that severe sunburns promote melanoma later in life, so do not let yourself or especially your children, get burned. Your risk of melanoma increases in relation to sunburn frequency and severity. Some studies reveal that people who spend more time in the outdoors, without getting burned, will decrease their risk of melanoma. That means if you are pale like me 15 minutes of sun on a daily basis building up to 30 minutes will be enough to get your Vitamin D. (And half that time if you are in the tropics). Fair-skinned people should also avoid direct sun exposure between the hours of 10am and 2pm. If you are darker you can go gradually longer and in the middle of the day but again be careful not to get burned and be supercautious in the tropics. When your fair-skinned kids are swimming in the ocean put a white T-shirt on them if possible.
Sometimes we do not have control over the amount of time that we are in direct sunlight, or we are going on vacation in the middle of February and have not had the appropriate amount of time to gradually build up our tolerance. OK, I'll keep it real. . .sometimes we just want to flaunt all of our hard work in the gym and/or the new stylish bathing suit we just bought. In those instances, I have searched far and wide for the safest non-toxic sunscreens available. I have thoroughly examined the ingredients and for those of you in the holistic health industry who care, these pass all of Mercola's guidelines as well as the guidelines for cosmetics as specified by the Chek Institute. (www.chekinstitute.com) The brands that passed my intense inspection are available in Whole Body, your local health food store or online. They are:
- California Baby
- Badger sunscreens
- UV Natural sunscreens
- Desert Essence Mineral Sunscreen
That's all folks. Good ol' Dr. Hauscka did not even pass my test because there's aluminum in his sunscreen (which is linked with Alzheimer's Disease). Origins and Aveda both have parabens (and apparently the best marketing money can buy for tricking everyone into thinking they are all natural and earthy!) Out of everything I saw these are the only brands I will be putting on myself this year. If you would like a list of toxic ingredients so that you can examine the brand you may already have in your house, here it is:
Para amino benzoic acid (PABA), octyl salicyclate, avobenzone, oxybenzone, cinoxate, padimate O, dioxybenzone, phenylbenzimidazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, menthyl anthranilate, trolamine salicyclate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), butyle methoxydibenzoylmethane, all FD&C and D&C colors, formaldehyde (diazolidinyl urea or Quarternium 15), lead, mercury, thimerosal, aluminum, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, Nitrosamines (DEA, TEA, MEA-all banned in Europe), bronopol, phenylenediamines, propylene glycol, benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, 1,4-dioxin, talc, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, nanoparticles, tocopherol acetate (synthetic Vitamin E), and Alcohol/Isopropyl SD-40.
Now please beware of just one (superficial) thing. If possible, please try the tester for these products before you buy them. The brands that I have listed are all physical sunblocks (as opposed to chemical sunblocks) which means the UV cannot physically pass through them. They may be a little thick or chalky looking. Different products work well on different people so try it out. One year I used Aubrey Organics sunblock (which is not on my list because it did have 1 of the above ingredients). I am already super-pale, but after applying the Aubrey I looked like Casper the Friendly Ghost, as if someone just covered me in chalk. Not sexy. What was worse was when my friend of East Indian decent used the Aubrey. She looked like Barney the Purple Dinosaur! Really not sexy!!!
As for self-tanners, self-tan at your own risk. Again, if you wouldn't eat it or it has one of the above ingredients listed or if the words "Poison Control" are anywhere on the label, I wouldn't do it.
I wouldn't go in the pool either. If you wouldn't drink it, don't bathe in it. The chlorine in the pool is toxic and kills the good bacteria in your body. This may leave you prone to fungal or parasitic infections, or digestive issues in the future. Dr. Mercola has even linked swimming in chlorinated pools with spontaneous abortion. It's just not worth it. It is so much safer to swim in oceans and lakes.
In summary, just use the good sense that God gave you when in the sun this summer. Yes it would be nice if our major health policy makers were enlightened enough to give a damn about our health instead of lining their own pockets. This is why I continue to say that it is up to each and every one of us to protect ourselves and our families by educating ourselves and voting with our dollars. If we only purchase non-carcinogenic products, the corporations will seek to get our money by producing more non-carcinogenic products.