Last summer I got one sunburn. It was in Key West, where the sun is apparently much hotter than in Charleston, SC. Ironically it was at the end of the summer, after I already had a great base tan. My boyfriend and I went out to the beach a little too long that day, and I got a little cooked.
This was, of course, because I wasn't wearing any sunscreen. You might think that's a pretty stupid thing to do, but I had a good reason behind it: I hadn't worn any sunscreen all summer, except for a little coconut oil from time to time, which has about SPF 4 in it, and is also a tanning aid.
The sun is the new saturated fat, and while I'm fully in support of getting screened for skin cancer, it's not because of how much sun you get. It's because of what you're eating, and in many cases because of the sunscreen itself that you're using. Therefore, I'm going to tell you how to avoid sunburn, sunscreen, and skin cancer in three simple steps:
Step 1
Sunburn is related to three things:
- B vitamins
- antioxidants
- omega-3 fatty acids
Making sure you are getting enough of these nutrients will drastically reduce your need to wear sunscreen, and possibly eliminate it altogether. Of course, you'll have to build up these nutrients in your body, and don't test this out on an all-day trip to the beach; spend short amounts of time in the sun and build up, especially if you are light-skinned.
Natural Health online did an article about this called "Eat Your Sunscreen" that offers some great dietary specifics for natural sunscreen: colorful fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, and watermelon; cold-water fish like salmon, or a fish-oil supplement; dark chocolate (raw cacao is best); polyphenols in green and black tea (coffee also contains these antioxidants); and my fave, green leafy veggies!
I'd also like to add that B vitamins are found in red meat, fish, eggs, poultry, milk, and cheese. These foods should NOT be avoided, unless you have chosen to be a vegetarian or vegan and are closely monitoring your nutrition intake. However, they should be consumed from quality sources and in moderation. (A serving size of meat or fish is 3–4 ounces, not 6. But that's another post.)
Step 2
Now try this on for size: many researchers and doctors are arguing (pretty convincingly) that sun exposure is not the major cause of melanoma. In fact, many common sites of skin cancer are found on under-exposed areas of the body, such as the soles of the feet or even between the toes.
Sun exposure actually reduces your risk of skin cancer and other cancers, as well as heart disease and inflammation. Vitamin D is a big deal, folks! And so is consuming enough saturated fat to absorb the vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins: A, E, and K. (In case you couldn't tell, I'm obsessed with saturated fat! And green leafy veggies!)
So getting out into the sun is a good idea. However, if your diet isn't the greatest or you're on antibiotics or other prescription medications, which can increase the risk of sunburn, be smart about it. Having a beach umbrella to retreat to or at least a hat is a good idea.
- These people all have the right idea.
Step 3
Get rid of that sunscreen! Most commercial sunscreens and sunblocks are chock full of toxic chemicals, including known carcinogens! They also block vitamin D absorption.
Of course, you may be vain like me and want to protect your face from the sun in order to avoid wrinkles, or you may genuinely need some extra protection to avoid sunburn. The Environmental Working Group offers a list of recommended sunscreens that are your best bet for true skin and body protection. If you're a purist, Dr. Mercola recommends his own sunscreen blend that completely avoids questionable chemicals.
Also keep in mind that other stuff you put on your skin can leech chemicals that can cause unpleasant reactions like cancer. This goes for shampoo and conditioner, face and body lotion, and makeup and makeup removers. You can rate the products you use at SkinDeep and find recommended replacements if necessary.
Finally, if you're a video person, this is a charmingly awkward but very informative video, "The Truth about Cancer, Sunlight, and Vitamin D."
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