Safe Sun Exposure Actually Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer

More About the Sun, Vitamin D3 and Antioxidants

Now, the sun is healthy for us all. Safe sun exposure actually reduces the risk of skin cancer! We couldn't live without it! Our ancestors lived and worked out doors in the sun for centuries, without a thought.

Today we are fearfully cautioned by "experts" about too much sun exposure. Think about what happens when crops don't get enough sun. They don't thrive. The same happens to us! The key is to be sensible and get sun exposure without sun burn. Since everyone is different, the right amount of sun exposure will vary from person to person. When the skin is slightly pink, it is time to cover up or get out of the sun. As we tan the amount of sun exposure can increase.

Ultraviolet light from the sun comes in two main wavelengths. UVA rays are present all day and even can effect us with cloud cover. They penetrate more deeply into the skin, causing more free radical damage which is very detrimental to our health. (They can increase the risk of skin cancer.) Therefore, a lotion with antioxidant protection is vitally important. UVB rays are more active during midday, and help your skin produce Vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to the sun, providing this all important vitamin with its many health benefits.

Most commercial sunscreens block our body's production of Vitamin D almost entirely. 85% of people in this country are deficient in this necessary vitamin! Natural sunlight is the most effective way of getting enough vitamin D. In the north, especially in the winter, we can't get enough sunlight on our skin and this contributes to chronic disease. Safe tanning and Vitamin D3 supplementation are ways to correct this situation. Naturopaths are recommending 5000 iu's a day for healthy people! Here is a partial list of the importance of vitamin D3: Cardiovascular health, healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, immune health including protection from cancer and chronic disease, muscle strength, kidney function, healthy bones and teeth.

Internal antioxidants are also very important to protect your body. Drink organic antioxidant beverages like Red Rooibos Tea and Green and White teas as well as sugar free fruit drinks with blueberries, cranberries, cherries and grapes. They must be organic and sugar free to have a positive affect.

Also eat organic foods and herbs with high antioxidant activity. Some herbs include parsley, turmeric, rose hips and rosemary. Eat foods like all leafy greens, especially dark greens, sprouts, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, beets, red peppers, onions, avocado, and colorful fruits like blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, dark grapes, cranberries, apples, plums, kiwi, and cooked elderberries.

And then there is chocolate! Yes chocolate, dark undutched chocolate!
Chocolate is an effective antioxidant—better than red wine or green tea. For the Love of Hot Chocolate is 81% organic dark chocolate with healthy sweeteners and free of sugar! It is delicious and you can make an amazing Chocolate Mousse dessert (here's the recipe!) with it. I add raspberries and what a treat!!

Another powerful antioxidant is Astaxanthin, which is a marine microalgae that comes from the ocean. It is yet another very powerful and effective gift from our great oceans.