Receive important information about health, products, and nutrition every month for FREE.
Here's our family's story and the path we took to help Mark recover from lead poisoning and some learning issues. Read Mark's Story
print this pageGetting Ready for the Sun
Spring is here and our children are spending more time playing outdoors – thank goodness! In this article we’d like to help you prepare your “sun protocol” for the spring and summer and share some of the latest research.
Mixed Messages
Is sun exposure good for you or not? Yes and no - it depends on the time of day and duration of sun exposure . Research from the Institute for Cancer Research in Norway states that the best time of sun exposure is noon which runs contrary to the advice given in the past. The researchers state that sun exposure at noon provides an optimal amount of vitamin D with minimal risk of getting malignant melanoma ; however exposure should only last for 15-20 minutes. If you would like to stick with the traditional philosophy of staying out of the sun from 10-2 that works too – researchers still recommend just 15-20 without sunscreen. You do not need to sunbathe to get your vitamin D, just a little bit of exposure prior to protection is ideal.
Vitamin D
Boston University Medical Center recommends moderate sunlight for the production of vitamin D. They state that vitamin D deficiency was thought to have been eradicated, but now more than 50% of the world’s population is at risk for vitamin D deficiency . A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition measured blood levels of vitamin D in 382 healthy children between six years and 21 years of age living in the northeastern U.S. Researchers assessed vitamin D intake and body mass in these children, and discovered more than half had low blood levels of vitamin D. 55% of the children had inadequate vitamin D blood levels and 68% had low blood levels of the vitamin in the wintertime . In a study at Children's Hospital Boston (June 2008), researchers found that 12 percent of infants and toddlers were deficient in vitamin D and 40 percent had below-optimal levels. The study also showed that one-third of children who were deficient had changes in bone density seen on X-rays of the wrist and knee. A few even had signs of rickets, or softening of the bones caused by severe deficiency of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal development and immune function, and low blood levels of the vitamin may contribute to diseases such as hypertension, multiple sclerosis and type 1 Diabetes . A study published June 5, 2008 in the online version of the scientific journal Diabetologia, suggests that childhood type 1 diabetes may be preventable with a modest intake of vitamin D3 (1000 IU/day) for children, ideally with 5 to 10 minutes of sunlight around noontime, when good weather allows, Decreased blood levels of vitamin D have also been linked to obesity and poor growth. Research is also showing that lack of sunshine may be responsible for certain types of cancer; such as lung cancer . Scientists at the University of Manchester state the best sources of vitamin D are from sunlight and through foods such as sardines and other fatty fish . The National Institute of health states that Cod Liver Oil is an excellent source of Vitamin D providing 1,360 IUs per tablespoon and recommends dairy products as well as Vitamin D fortified products. The groups at highest risk of vitamin D deficiency according to the NIH are:
1. Breastfed infants – Human milk is the most perfect food for children and provides about 25 IU/L. The AAP recommends that exclusively and partially breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D per day.
2. Older Adults - As people age, skin cannot synthesize vitamin D as efficiently.
3. People with Limited Sun Exposure.
4. People with Dark Skin – Having darker skin reduces the skin's ability to produce vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.
5. People with fat malabsorption - Fat malabsorption is associated with a variety of medical conditions including pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, surgical removal of part of the stomach or intestines, and some forms of liver disease.
6. People who are obese – Fat tends to sequester more of the vitamin and alter its release into the blood stream.
Sunscreen
Skip the Aluminum
Using sunscreen helps us stay outside longer and provides protection when we are enjoying days at the beach, gardening, or simply need to be outside for extended periods of time. It is important to be armed with the right sunscreen to assure sun safety and personal wellness. Aluminum is an ingredient in some sunscreens and according to a 2007 issue of Science Daily, some manufacturers exceed the aluminum limits recommended by the World Health Organization. The skin is permeable to aluminum salts and it accumulates in the skin and throughout the body. Researchers also speculate that aluminum could increase the potential for oxidative damage in the skin and could be a contributing factor to melanoma .
Find the right brand
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a database which ranks sunscreens for effectiveness. The EWG’s review of 993 sunscreen products found that 85% or 844 products offered inadequate protection from the sun or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Their research also showed that some sunscreens absorb into the blood and could be unsafe. Some of the ingredients release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some mimic estrogen and could disrupt hormone systems, some have been linked to allergic reactions and some others can build up in the body or the environment. To view the database and choose a recommended sunscreen, visit: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php. Furthermore, the American Academy of Dermatology recently launched the AAD Seal of Recognition program. Sunscreen products that have an SPF of at least 15 and provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays can apply for the seal of recognition to appear on the packaging.
Reapply Often
The Skin Cancer foundation recommends reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Roughly 95% of the visible signs of aging are associated with UV exposure and about 90% of a person’s total life-time UV exposure is obtained before a person is 18 years old .
Protective Clothing
Avoiding direct sunlight and wearing clothes which stop harmful UV rays from reaching the skin, rather than sunscreen, are the best ways of avoiding skin cancer and the aging effects of the sun according to a recent article in The Lancet. The researchers suggest sun protective clothes and a hat should be used over sunscreen and state that tightly woven, thick garments made of denim, wool or polyester offer the best protection, while cotton and linen are much less effective . Clothes that have shrunk after washing (they are now denser) are better at stopping harmful UV rays reaching the skin, while wet or stretched materials, and those that have been bleached, are not as effective.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement – their lenses can actually block UV rays that can cause cataracts and retinal degeneration. However, “there is no government regulating power for the classification of sunglasses," says Dr. Donald J. D'Amico, chair of ophthalmology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “As a result, companies may misrepresent how much protection their sunglasses offer” . There is though an industry standard called ANSI Z80.3; consumers should look for this classification to assure proper UV protection. Brands such as Oakley, Alpina, Smith, and Vibes conform to or exceed ANSI standards.
Cost is no indicator of UV protection. An expensive pair of sunglasses does not guarantee sufficient protection from the sun. Dr. D'Amico emphasizes that you are never too young to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Parents should purchase UV-protected sunglasses for their children with wraparound design and keep infants' eyes shaded.
Sunlight Sensitivity due to Medications
Many widely used medications can cause “photosensitivity” which happens when a person is exposed to sunlight and other kinds of ultraviolet light for brief amounts of time. Common effects of photosensitivity include hives and rashes. Commonly used medicines that can cause sensitivity include: nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antihistamines, some anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, chemotherapy, cardiovascular drugs, diuretics and oral diabetes medications . In addition, St. John’s wort, an herbal remedy sometimes used to treat depression, has also been noted to cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Photosensitivity does not cause an increased chance of skin cancer; however, children are more likely to get sunburned if they are sensitive to these medications and exposed to the sunlight.
Astaxanthin
According to Dr. Robert Childs M.D., astaxanthin acts like a sponge absorbing UV rays and combats the free radicals created by skin exposed to ultraviolet rays. This antioxidant which is 500 times stronger than vitamin E and 10 times stronger than vitamin A, also reduces the pain and inflammation that occurs with sunburn. Astaxanthin is commonly found in red ocean plants and animals including salmon and provides the benefits of eating one to three pounds of salmon a day . There are no known side effects and can be found at vitamin stores and online.
Too much sun?
According to the Mayo Clinic some remedies that may be helpful for sunburn relief include aloe vera, cold compresses, and anti-inflammatory medicines. In addition, the homeopathic remedies Cantharsis and Glononium are also helpful in relieving the pain and inflammation associated with sunburn. Both are easy to find at your local health food store.
References
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050526091912.htm
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348449
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070709091806.htm
- Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
- http://www.newsmax.com/health/vitamin_D_type_1_diabetes/2008/06/05/101899.html. The study is published June 5 in the online version of the scientific journal Diabetologia.
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220235735.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050526091912.htm
- http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070812084458.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060828211528.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070506164914.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080509165641.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/08/000807070850.htm
- http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1108-sunscreen_in_a_pill.htm
