Sunbathing - the facts
Much concern and confusion surround this particular leisure inactivity. Here is a hard look at some facts.
Did you know that researchers at the University of Tasmania found that the more sun you had as a child, the lower your chances of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life? They compared 136 people with MS with 272 randomly drawn people of similar ages. Those who had been out in the sun more than two to three hours a day between the ages of 6 and 15 had a significantly lower risk of MS; higher exposure in winter seemed more important than higher exposure in summer [BMJ, 2003, 327; 7410: 316].
Did you know that avoiding the sun can make you more vulnerable to a range of cancers which kill more than 38000 Britons a year, according to a study by Professor Cedric Garland of the University of California? He recommends that you get some sun for 10 to 15 minutes a day when the weather allows, without sunscreen, to promote an adequate build-up of vitamin D, which reduces the risk of breast, colon, prostate and other cancers [BMJ, 2003, 327; 7425:1228].
Did you know that, although the medical establishment still strongly supports the use of sunscreens, there is a pool of evidence (growing for 14 years at an accelerating rate) that the use of sunscreens promotes skin cancers as well as colon and breast cancers? Professor Johan Moan of the Norwegian Cancer Institute found that the yearly incidence of melanoma had increased by 350% for men and by 440% for women during the period 1957 to 1984, when there was no change in the ozone layer [Brit J Cancer, June 1992, 65:916-921]. This coincides with the ever more pervasive use of sunscreens. The rise in melanoma has been exceptionally high in Queensland, Australia (more incidences of melanoma per capita than any other place in the world), where the medical establishment has long and vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens. That pattern has been repeated worldwide. The greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted.
Did you know that most chemical sunscreens contain one, or several, of the most powerful free-radical generators known to man? Such chemicals are activated by ultraviolet light and the absorbed energy breaks the chemical’s double bond to produce two free-radical sites. The free radicals urgently look for a hydrogen atom to make them “feel whole again” [Kirk-Othmer: Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, vol 13, 3rd ed, 1981, pp 367-368]. They may find this atom among the other ingredients of the sunscreen or on the surface of the skin thereby initiating a chain reaction which could eventually lead to skin cancer. Eleven years ago researchers at the Harvard Medical School discovered that psoralen, another ultraviolet light-activated free-radical generator, is an extremely efficient carcinogen [Cancer, 1 June 1994, 73(11):2759-2764]. Psoralen is a photosensitizing agent used to enhance skin pigmentation or tanning. It occurs naturally in buttercups, carrot greens, celery, clover, cockleburs, dill, figs, limes, parsley, and meadow grass. Psoralen-type photosensitizers are also used in the manufacture of some perfumes that may be used as the aromatic ingredients of sunscreens. For example, oil of Bergamot, extracted from the peels of small oranges grown in southern France and Italy, is such a psoralen used as a tea flavouring and in perfumes.
Did you know that properly dosed sunlight, has been shown to be frequently beneficial, at least to some extent, in the following very large number of complaints: acne, alcoholism, arthritis, bedsores, bronchitis, canker sores (on lips), carbuncles, high cholesterol levels, cirrhosis of liver, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, eczema, emphysema, epilepsy, low-grade fevers, bone fractures, gallstones, glaucoma, herpes zoster (shingles), insomnia, jaundice, kwashiorkor (protein deficiency), leg cramps, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, pregnancy, psoriasis, rickets, recurrent rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, as well as vision and focus disorders [Kirschmann, J D, & L J Dunne, Nutrition Almanac (3rd ed), New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co, 1990, 49-52.]. People often remark on how much better they feel once they are in a sunny climate.
Having spent decades exposed to large daily doses of the African sun, I have personal experience of its benefits as well as being aware of its dangers. Common sense suggests, as a rule, preliminary conditioning by graded exposure to sunlight to be advisable. Under the trade-name Sylvasun a laboratory in the Republic of SA produces a nutritional supplement in the form of tablets in each of which the active ingredient is 7500 I.U. vitamin A acetate compounded with 130mg of Os sepiae (cuttlefish bone). Every fair-skinned visitor (over 9 years old) from Europe, unaccustomed to the sun, was given one tablet the night before the first exposure and told to continue taking one tablet daily until that skin was used to the ever-present sun. This successfully warded off the unpleasantness associated with the otherwise almost inevitable sunburns.
Additionally, it pays to take plenty of vitamin E and other antioxidants (Selenium, vitamin C) before exposure to the immunosuppressive effects of ultraviolet light. Nonetheless, caution and prudence should be exercised when exposing oneself to the sun for extended periods between 10h30 and 14h30, when most of the ultraviolet rays, that produce the damaging burns, are present. It is also often overlooked that reflections from snow, metal, water, or sand can double the amount of ultraviolet rays one absorbs. Exposure to wind and sun may cause brittle, broken hair, but supplementation with folic acid, pantothenic acid and/or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), along with vitamin B complex restores the hair promptly. As most people eat well on holiday and would, therefore, get these corrective nutrients in their diet, their hair very rarely actually becomes brittle.
Did you know that the so-called 'Berlin-Eilath Study', conducted by two German professors, Harald Gollnick and Hans Biesalski, strongly suggests that carotenoids (which protect plants from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays) significantly help any sun-worshippers with normal skin? [Gollnick, H P, H K Biesalski, et al. Systemic ß-Carotene plus Topical Ultraviolet-Screen are an Optimal Protection against Harmful Effects of Natural UV-Sunlight: Results of the Berlin-Eilath Study, Eur J Dermatology, 1996, 6: 200-205]. Twenty young, healthy females were given either a daily 30mg ß-carotene supplement, or placebo, for a period of ten weeks, prior to controlled exposure to the sun for two weeks, during which a topical sunscreen was applied to selected sites. The results demonstrated clearly that pre-supplementation with ß-carotene significantly increased the number of star-shaped epidermal Langerhans cells. These cells are an important component of the skin's immune system. Their numbers are markedly diminished by the sun's radiation. In the active (the ß-carotene supplemented) group, they decreased significantly less than in the control (the placebo) group. The ß-carotene supplemented group also had noticeably less erythema than the placebo group and their serum ß-carotene levels did not fall below normal during ultraviolet exposure, whereas those of the unsupplemented group dropped significantly. The researchers concluded that "pre-supplementation with moderate doses of ß-carotene before and during natural sunlight exposure combined with topical sunscreens is more effective than sunscreen cream alone." From their results, "the use of such a combination for the general health of populations at risk, e.g. before ultraviolet-exposure during vacation, would seem advisable".
Professor Hagen Tronnier and colleagues found that supplementation with natural mixed carotenoids in daily doses of 50mg over six weeks, or 25mg over twelve weeks, was effective in protecting fair-skinned individuals from ultraviolet-induced damage. They found a direct relationship between the UV-protective effect and the tissue level that resulted in the production of adequate sun protection factor [Tronnier, H, U Heinrich, et al. Ultraviolet Protection of Natural Mixed Carotenoids in Humans, Report published by the Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Witten-Herdecke, Rhine-Westphalia, FRG, 1996]. The algae Dunaliella salina, that is the source of the mixed carotenoids used, contains five of the most common carotenoids in the human diet, viz. SYMBOL 97 \f "Symbol"-carotene, ß-carotene, lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin.
Did you know that about 50% of melanomas begin in a pre-existing, and previously benign, mole. Any change in a mole should be cause for a professional examination. Near the top of the list of risk factors for skin cancers is the occasional exposure to short periods of intense sunlight - so often immediately followed by sunburn - by the fair-skinned who normally have low sunlight exposure, such as office workers, during their annual holiday in the sun. They should certainly be guided by the very useful results of both the 'Tronnier' and the 'Berlin-Eilath' studies.
Did you know that there are appropriate homoeopathic remedies readily available in most parts of the world? Here are some: Sol 30CH to be taken before setting out for that holiday in the sun. In the unhappy event of having sun-stroke: Cytisus laburnum 3DH two-hourly until relief from nausea and vertigo, or Glonoinum 6CH is to be repeated two-hourly until relief from the bursting, pulsating headache, which cannot bear motion, is achieved. Where there is sunburnt skin: Kali carbonicum 6CH four-hourly; if the face tans quickly: Bufo rana 12CH four-hourly; and locally, a solution of Calcarea chlorinata, 1:10 distilled water, may be applied, alternatively, the juice of a lemon may be applied once or twice a day. The sufferer must be kept in a cool shady room. A fan may sometimes be desirable. Ointments and greases are to be avoided because of their occlusive effect. In severe cases the rectal temperature must be reduced to 39°C (102,2°F) by whatever means are available such as cooling, soothing wet dressings and vigorously massaging the extremities constantly to promote circulation of the blood cooled there to all parts of the body. Aloe vera juice works remarkably well for soothing the more ordinary sunburn and preventing peeling. It will take the heat and sting out of the sunburn, and also stop blistering. It generally helps to convert the minor sunburns into tans. The juice should be kept cool, preferably refrigerated, while on holiday, and affected areas should be daubed liberally. If that is unavailable, a mixture of two parts of cider vinegar and one part olive oil will provide relief too.
In the more serious cases, both the medical herbalists and the homoeopaths like to use Galium aparine (goose-grass or cleaver) which promotes the prompt healing of damaged skin. A wash made from the fluid extract, or a decoction of the fresh herb, is very gently applied twice daily to the sunburnt area with a natural sponge or a soft cloth, or poultices may be used, if appropriate. In general it is wise, and very particularly at such times, to avoid photosensitizing orthodox drugs, e.g. barbiturates, demeclocycline, phenothiazines, griseofulvin, chlorothiazides, promethazine, or contact with halogenated salicylanilides (weak antiseptics in soaps and creams). The possibility of porphyria may be considered, and when there is severe exfoliation (peeling) accompanied by systemic manifestations professional help must be sought.
Copyright 2007
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