Vitamin D and Sunscreens

All year round we are going to the beach or finding places with warmer weather to enjoy. My friend asked me for my information on Vitamin D and sunscreens the other day, because she was going to the beach for the winter months. So, I thought I would put this information up for those of you doing the same thing.

I can still remember putting sunscreen on my son, who has very sensitive skin and is a redhead. He started screaming and running off in pain because the sunscreen I had just applied to his skin hurt him. The sunscreen had been for children with sensitive skin! It made me incredibly sad and upset as I washed it off of him and felt so terrible about having hurt my son in this way.  I only wanted to protect him.

After that, I really started researching sunscreens in hope that I would never hurt my children again. I’ve learned a lot since then. We want to protect ourselves and our children from the sun during the summer, but what else is there to know about the sun, and what sunscreen should you use? Recent studies reveal that many sunscreens can cause Vitamin D3 deficiency, increase the risk of skin cancer, and take away the sun’s benefits, such as access to Vitamin D. (1)

It is estimated that about 87% of the population is Vitamin D–deficient in the winter months, and that seven out of 10 children and 70% of breastfed babies are deficient in Vitamin D3, which affects their growth and development. (2) The sun promotes health and vitality. Because of these alarming numbers, many doctors recommend significant everyday supplements of Vitamin D and more specifically Vitamin D3.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone, known as calcitriol in its active form. A deficiency of calcitriol may be responsible for over 17 cancers, autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, hypertension/high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and genetic disorders, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. (4) Rickets (bone softening) is a disease caused by Vitamin D deficiency. Sounds a lot like osteoporosis, doesn’t it? If you have a bone problem, have your Vitamin D checked. That may be a big part of the problem.

The American Medical Association recommends we get at least 15 minutes of direct mid-day sun, without applying sunscreen, several times a week, yet the American Academy of Dermatology says “there is no scientifically validated, safe threshold level of UV exposure from the sun that allows for maximal vitamin D3 synthesis, without increasing skin cancer risk.” (4) It is up to you to decide, but regardless, be sure not to stay out in the sun and burn from prolonged exposure.

Humans have been getting their Vitamin D from the sun for centuries, and foods with Vitamin D are few and insufficient. Most experts agree with the American Medical Association’s recommendations for sun exposure. The amount of skin exposed to sunshine correlates directly with how much Vitamin D will be produced. The more skin exposed, the more Vitamin D will be created. Also, people with darker skin actually need more sunlight than lighter-skinned people. We also need sunlight through our eyes without sunglasses each day.

For about 25 years, we have used sunscreens that block out UVB rays, but not UVA rays. UVB rays were thought to be the cause of skin cancer, butstudies now reveal that sunscreens were blocking UVB cancer-protecting rays and allowing in UVA rays that can cause cancer. For about 25 to 30 years, we have been in some ways convinced to be afraid of the sun and avoid it. There is no Vitamin D toxicity from sunshine, because UVA rays break down excess Vitamin D. We can store Vitamin D in fat cells and use it in the winter month if we get enough in the summer. UVB rays are at their peak in the summer and are not available for most of the winter north of Atlanta, Georgia. When UVB rays stay on the skin surface they help the body make Vitamin D3, which is why they were incorrectly blamed for causing skin cancer. The SPF rating only measured the UVB blocking power. Sunscreens reportedly reduce Vitamin D3 levels in the blood by up to 99 percent.

What do you do about sunscreen if you need to be outside for long periods of time? Pick a safe sunscreen. Some sunscreens have carcinogenic ingredients and hormone disrupters that should be avoided: Oxtinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Avobenzone, and Retinyl Pa (a form of Vitamin A). Be sure to check any sunscreens for these ingredients; they absorb easily through the skin and are toxic when combined with sun exposure.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been said to be safe and they say it doesn’t penetrate the skin, but from my most resent research, I believe they arenot safe. Micronized metals will penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream. The results of this can be ancer and tumors. TiO2 is an acknowledged arcinogen. (5)

Dr. Plourde, in her research paper,  “Exposing the Hazards of Sunscreen, ” says that there is concern that “sunscreen chemicals should be examined in relation to rising autism rates.” (6) Also, this research shows that the sunscreen ingredients are what are causing the coral reefs to die. There is a bill now in Hawaii to ban sunscreens with these toxic ingredients.  Senate Bill 2571 would ban the sale and distribution of any sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, which scientists say damage reefs. “Sunscreen can bleach coral reefs, researchers have confirmed. The chemicals that filter ultraviolet (UV) light can activate latent viral infections in the symbiotic microalgae that the corals rely on for nutrition.” Think how toxic these are before putting them all over your body or your children’s body. If you are interested in this subject, I would definitely read her research paper.

If you think you must use a sunscreen, you may check The Environmental Workers Group (EWG) (a non profit group that does independent testing) tested over 1,500 sunscreens for safety and effectiveness. You can go to their website and see the sunscreens they recommend. (7) Their site with the sunscreen is:  http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/.

I would buy the ones that are non nano, because when it’s nano, it is too small a particle and can penetrate the skin. You want it to be large enough particles that will not penetrate the skin. Some scientist think even the non nano is not large enough to keep it from absorbing into the body/bloodstream.

Natural ways to help us protect ourselves this summer from getting to much sun. Drinking carrot juice or eating carrots or sweet potatoes also gives the body some natural sun protection (from the beta carotene). Wearing nice thick clothing that covers our skin without chemicals. Clothing that are treated with chemicals like: titanium or zinc oxide will break down in the wash and create hazards to the eco system i our water supply.  Apparently the coral reefs are dying off as a result of various chemicals used in sunscreens. (8)

So, whenever you are getting to the beach or a warm and sunny place, get some natural vitamin D, wear natural clothing to protect yourself from too much sun, eat some beta carotene rich foods and get into the shade if you feel you have been out too long.

Enjoy you fun in the sun!

Sources:

1.Mercola, Dr. Joseph. “Slathering on Sunscreen Does Not Prevent Cancer.” Dr. Joseph Mercola’s website. articles.mercola.com/sites/ articles/archive/2003/08/02/sunscreen-cancer.aspx.

2. Douillard, DC, Dr. John. “Vitamin D: Astonishing Health Benefits.”

Dr. John Douillard’s Lifespa.com website. www.lifespa.com/article. aspx?art_id=100&view=print.

3. Douillard, DC, Dr. John. “Sun Exposure: Don’t Be Fooled By Your Sunscreen.” Dr. John Douillard’s Lifespa.com website. www.lifespa. com/article.aspx?art_id=114&view=print.

4. Douillard, “Vitamin D” Douillard’s Lifespa.com website. www.lifespa.com

5, 6 & 8.  “Exposing the Hazards of Sunscreen” by Elizabeth Plourde, CLS,NCMP, PhD, Price-Pottenger Journal Vol. 36, No. 1

7. “Sunscreens Exposed: 9 Surprising Truths. EWG’s Skin Deep— Sunscreens 2011.” Environmental Working Group website. June 23, 2011. breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/ sunscreens-exposed-9-surprising-truths/

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