Sunscreen

This morning on my Facebook page I checked out my “timeline memories”.  And every time I see this one particular post, I share it.

 

 

 

 

 

We NEED the sun! We NEED to practice SMART sun exposure and we NEED to realize that the chemicals in many sunscreens cause more cancer than the sun.  Studies have shown that skin cancer rates have risen with sunscreen use.                                                                         (Image source: http://www.joshgitalis.com/essential-summertime-tips/introduction-of-sunscreen-and-skin-cancer-rates-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why? Because 1) They’re full of toxic chemicals, which are known to cause cancer (Learn more about these chemicals: http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=46 )

2) because we are so scared of the sun that we hide from it and our bodies are starving for vitamin D.  The Sun is the #1 source for Vitamin D. Studies have shown that “Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis,rheumatoid arthritis is, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and autism” (https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/vitamin-d-natures-medicine-chest)

So what can you do?

     Gradually build up your tolerance to the sun.  Get outside each day. Start with 10 minutes on day 1, 15 minutes on day 2, etc.  You want to have as much skin exposed as possible. So get on that bikini and that speedo and lay out! Want even more benefits of the outside time?  Lay right down in the grass or the sand and absorb the negative ions of the earth into your body which is charged with positive ions and let your body return to its natural neutral state.  

If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time, of course you need sun protection.  Put on a UPF hat and shirt and utilize a sunshade made with UPF material. This is also when sunscreen should be used in moderation.  Use a safe sunscreen (http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen) on the areas which you can’t protect with UPF clothing/umbrellas. 

Don’t “wash off” your vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone, not actually a vitamin at all.  Your body needs time to convert the sun’s rays into vitamin D. Ideally, you would want to wait up to 48 hours.  But that’s pretty unrealistic given our busy lifestyles. So if you can wait a minimum of 12 hour after sun exposure to shower, and you practice the daily sun safety techniques, you will be on your way to building up a a Vitamin D level, which will not only help your body prevent cancer, but other diseases and illness and just give you that “feel good” contentment we all long for. Yours in health, Kara