The Sun is Good for Your Health

My advice to everyone is to NOT be afraid of the sun. I’ve been taught and doctors today have been taught to tell their patients to either avoid the sun or wear sunblock. But this public health message needs to be called into question.

Consider this. Vitamin D levels and the rates of skin cancer are increasing despite the increasing use of sunscreen. There are several studies that have confirmed that appropriate sun exposure actually helps prevent skin cancer and the research shows that there is no association between sun exposure and malignant melanoma. Outdoor workers report lower rates of melanoma than indoor workers (Radespiel-Troger 2009). Melanoma rates are higher among people who live in northern American cities with less year-round UV intensity than among residents of sunnier cities (Planta 2011). Researchers speculate that higher vitamin D levels for people with regular sun exposure may play a role in reduced melanoma risk (Godar 2011, Newton-Bishop 2011, Field 2011

Our skin is designed to be in a continuing relationship with the light in our environment and has highly evolved biologic systems that, when stimulate by light, will provide the ultimate foundation to our health. From an evolutionary perspective, we are not meant to be working indoors under artificial “junk” light. But most are. So when we do spend time outdoors and then travel to the lake for the weekend, we end up with a sunburn, not having slowly exposed our skin over the late winter and early spring months. And a sunburn is never good for your health. In fact, once your skin starts turning a light shade of pink (if you’re Caucasian), it’s time to get out of the sun. You will not produce any more vitamin D and sun damage will occur.

This is where you will need sunscreen but please choose carefully as most commercial sunscreens are loaded with toxic chemicals that will either accelerate skin cancer or once absorbed into your bloodstream will disrupt your hormones.

Any sunscreen with Vitamin A is dangerous. The FDA’s study of vitamin A’s photocarcinogenic properties showed that, “tumors and lesions developed up to 21% faster in lab animals coated in a vitamin A-laced cream than animals treated with a vitamin-free cream”. The FDA has known about this in their report by the National Toxicity Program in 2000 but still has alerted the public.

Synthetic chemicals will get into your bloodstream and cause allergic side effects as well as hormone disruption. These include: OMC (Octyl mthoxycinnamate), Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalaate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate.

Click HERE for list of sun products that have been tested by the Environmental Working Group for safety.

My Recommendations:

• If you are planning on a trip to the beach or lake over the weekend and have been indoors for the most of the preceding months, then please cover-up and/or wear a safe sunblock once your skin starts to turn pink.

• Preferably, try to get daily sun exposure with as much of your skin exposed for maximal absorption of Vitamin D. Once your skin starts to turn pink then it is time to cover up or seek shade. Cotton clothing will provide some sun protection of about 15 SPF.

The sun provides our body with life and is the only true path to optimal health and healing