Sunshine, Vitamin D, Sunbathing and Sunscreen

Sunshine, Vitamin D, Sunbathing and Sunscreen
 
Revised Sunbathing advice: Get out in the sun between 10am and 2pm to get the most from the protective UVB rays. Ref: Dr William Grant, UK, Robyn Lucas, epidemiologist ANU, Canberra. 

Vitamin D helps build bones which protects against bone density problems (rickets, osteomalacia  and osteoporosis). It also supports the immune system in cancer prevention. It is especially important for pregnant women to ensure optimal foetal development.Research continues to discover more and more ways that vitamin D supports optimal physiological functioning.

 However, research is showing many people have vitamin D deficiency because they don't get enough sunshine. The darker your skin the more sun exposure you will need to avoid vitamin D deficiency.


Reasons below

• UVB protective rays are more intense around noon so a shorter exposure time is required.
• UVB protective rays are filtered out much more than UVA when the sun is low.
• UVB rays are safer and can be beneficial with short term exposure.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (less serious, easier treated, rarely fatal) is linked to lifetime UVB irradiants
• Melanoma is linked to lifetime UVA irradiants or sporadic sunburn in youth.
• UVA rays are highly correlated with melanoma.

Sunscreen prevents Vitamin D formation. Washing with soap is also a problem. This is because to form Vitamin D, cholesterol must be present in the outer skin layer. So no soap for two days following sun bathing. To get optimum results it is necessary to expose 40% of the body.Use sunscreen only if you have prolonged sun exposure and use safe products. Many of the well known brands contain toxins.



Ref. Natural Health Summer magazine 2009/10

 

GOMBS

GOMBS A gem from the food revolution conference provided by Dr Joel Fuhrman author of "Eat to Live"
G stands for greens, O for onions, M for mushrooms, B for beans and berries and S for seeds. All these need to be included in a healthy plant based diet.