The Sun Safety Alliance (SSA), a nonprofit organization, is planning to inundate practitioners and the public with information about preventing skin cancer with the liberal use of sunscreens. On their website they emphasize the dangers of ultraviolet radiation (UV) rays without mentioning the importance of sunlight in creating vitamin D and its
benefits to our health.

Vitamin D

The main source of vitamin D throughout the course of evolution has been exposure to the sun. Our skin makes vitamin D in response to sunlight. “Ultraviolet B (UVB) light from the sun stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D from a precursor molecule in the skin” (Gaby, p.120).

Food, on the other hand, is a relatively poor source of vitamin D. It is found in oily fish like salmon, sardines, and halibut, eggs, oatmeal and sweet potatoes, but in order for the body to process vitamin D from these foods, it has to go through a conversion first by the liver, and then by the kidneys. With today’s modern lifestyle and the predominant diet of cooked and processed foods, the ability of the liver and kidneys in most people to activate much vitamin D from foods may be severely compromised (Wright, p.75).

Exposing the face and arms to the sun a few times a week, therefore, becomes extremely important in order to receive the vitamin D our body needs.

Why is Vitamin D Important?

“While it is well known that severe vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia, it is not generally known that even a mild deficiency may cause such problems as muscle weakness, fibromyalgia, impaired balance, and depression” (Gaby, p.120). “Vitamin D is involved in calcium absorption. Low blood levels of this vitamin are linked to an increased risk of breast and colon cancers. Scientists at an October 2003, National Institutes of Health Conference... reported on alarming prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the US. Scientists attribute the deficiency partly to diet and partly to worries about UV rays and skin cancer that keep people indoors or coated with sunscreens” (Klotter, p.24).

UV Rays and Sunscreens:

Although much is made of the thinning ozone layer as a reason to wear sunscreen, many UV rays in sunlight are able to pass through the ozone layer. UVC rays, which have the shortest wave length, are primarily stopped by the ozone layer. UVB rays, of medium length, are partially absorbed by the ozone layer. UVA rays, which have the longest wave length, are not stopped by the ozone layer at all. UVA rays deeply penetrate the skin and are the primary cause of sunburn.

UVA rays account for 90-95% of the ultraviolet light that reaches earth, and are absorbed by melanocytes in the skin that result in tanning, or sunburn with longer exposure. These rays can also weaken the skin’s connective tissue and make it more susceptible to sun damage. In addition, UVA rays suppress immune function of the skin. Tanning beds use mostly UVA light sources (Klotter, p.24) and partially as a result, the incidence of melanomas in the US has increased sharply. The American Skin Cancer Institute estimates that doctors discover about one million cases of melanoma in the US each year (Gallo, p. 40) and some researchers believe that the increased use of chemical sunscreens, that absorb rather than reflect UV rays, is the main cause of the rise in skin cancer (Klotter, p. 24).

A principal ingredient in most well-known sunscreens, oxybenzone absorbs UVA light through the skin. Hans R. Larsen MSc., says that benzophenone derivatives, of which oxybenzone is one, are powerful free radical generators. He notes that wherever chemical sunscreens are promoted, the incidence of melanoma rises (Klotter,p.24). The effects of long term use of sunscreen have not been studied, however.

Get Your Vitamin D and Enjoy the Sun Without Chemical Sunscreens

You want to enjoy the benefits of sunlight and receive your daily vitamin D without having to rely on frequent and liberal applications of chemical sunscreens. Dr. Alan Gaby recommends “daily exposure of the hands, face, and arms, or arms and legs, to sunlight for a period equal to 25% of the time it would take to develop a light pinkness of the skin...That level of exposure is said to be sufficient to satisfy the body’s vitamin D requirement, and to synthesize enough of the vitamin to store in the skin for use at times when sunlight exposure is inadequate” (Gaby, p.121).

An alternative way to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays is to apply skin lotions high in natural antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, wild crafted blue green algae, grape skin and grape seed extract, and WGP™ Beta Glucan. With these antioxidant lotions, vitamin D will be produced in the skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will be minimized, your skin’s immune system will be stimulated, and sun-damaged skin will be quickly repaired.

Another substance high in antioxidants that can protect your skin from sun damage is unheated coconut oil. This oil has inherent vitamin E and other antioxidants. Make sure that the coconut oil you purchase is unheated (it should say so on the label).

“Unlike sunscreen, coconut oil doesn’t necessarily block UV light, but allows the body to adjust naturally to sun exposure, naturally increasing the body’s tolerance level over time” (Fife, p.150).

Regular and moderate sun exposure with protected antioxidant lotions applied to your skin in the early morning or late afternoon will help maintain a protective tan and keep your vitamin D stores at an optimum level.

References:
Five, Bruce. (2001). The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Colorado springs: Co. Healthwise.
Gaby, Alan. (July 2004). “A New Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency”. Townsend Letter for Doctors
      and Patients. pp.120-121.
Gallo, Joanne. (May 2000). “The Big Cover Up.” Energy Times. pp.39-43.
Klotter, Jule. (July 2004). “SHORTS”. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. p. 24.
Wright, Jonathan V. (May 2004). “Vitamin D. Its Role in Autoimmune Disease and Hypertension”.
      Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients. pp. 75-78.

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