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Whether you’ll be stripping off or taking cover
during high summer, there’s no doubt that you’ll
burn more easily here in New Zealand than
almost anywhere else on the planet. The sun
is especially strong because the Earth’s orbit
takes the Southern Hemisphere closer to the
sun (called the perihelion) during our January
summer than it does in the northern hemisphere
during their July summer. There is also less
pollution in the atmosphere and less ozone to
block the UV rays that cause sunburn.
While the best ‘safe sun’ practice suggests
staying out of the sun between the peak hours
of 11am to 2pm, our desire to
make the most of our glorious
summer means that’s not
realistic for most. So what’s
Staying healthy and happy as we embrace the sun
W
hile we must be diligent in offsetting the
harmful effects of too much sun exposure,
it is worth remembering that our bodies do
need sunlight for good health. The interaction
of sunlight with skin produces vitamin D, a vital
nutrient not found in most foods common in
our modern diet. Even if it does occur naturally
in foods, sunlight is needed to help the body
synthesise the vitamin.
Studies show that ingredients in sunscreens
interfere with the function of sunlight to prompt
the skin to manufacture vitamin D. The blanket
use of sunscreens may be contributing to the
increase of vitamin D deficiency in NZ.
Author Debra Lynn Dadd points to the benefits
of sunlight in her book
Debra’s Guide to
Choosing Natural Sun Protection
. “Prior to the
discovery of penicillin in 1938, sunshine was
used to treat many ills including tuberculosis,
colitis, anaemia, gout, cystitis, arteriosclerosis,
rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and asthma.
Everyone knows by now about the SPF
protection rating on skin creams, lip balms
and sun lotions. The rating compares
time it would take to sunburn if you were
not wearing the sunscreen, as opposed
to time it would take with the sunscreen.
With the commonly recommended “SPF
15 and over”, how much protection is
offered by lotions rated 25+?
A WebMD feature discussed the ratings
quoting dermatologist James M. Spencer,
MD: “SPF is not a consumer-friendly
number,” he says. “It is logical to think that
an SPF of 30 is twice as good as an SPF of
15 and so on. But that is not how it works.”
An SPF15 lotion product blocks about
94% of UVB rays; SPF 30, 97%; and SPF
45 about 98%. “After that, it just gets
silly,” he says. (However, E-SPF rated
eyeglasses can add protection to lenses
with polarisation. See next page.)
What to know about SPF lotions: Look for
full spectrum, effective on
both
UVA and
UVB rays. Apply 30 minutes before you go
outside. Amount for full body protection:
Adults apply 30-40g, child 20g. If going in
water, use waterproof or water repellent
lotion. Reapply every 1-2 hours.
KNOW YOUR
SPF
the answer? We all know the mantra – shirt,
hat, sunglasses and sunscreen before you step
outside. But what’s not so widely known is the
possibility of being sun smart on the inside too!
Aim for the Antioxidants
Some experts suggest that food and supple-
ments we consume influence how our bodies
react to sunlight. Antioxidants automatically flood
the areas under UV ray attack to help prevent
damage to the cells’ sensitive DNA. Over time,
these damaged areas show signs of wrinkling,
age spots (melatonin), and even skin cancers.
Antioxodant containing supplements are
plentiful. Look to include these in
your skin vitamin regime:
Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid
(ALA), CoQ10, vitamin C and E.
Among antioxidant rich ‘super foods’ are cocoa
powder (yes, dark chocolate!), pecans, fruits
(apples, pears, black plums), artichokes,
cinnamon, and berries (blueberries, cranberries,
goji and the undisputed winner – acai berries).
Astaxanthin – usually taken as a supplement but
actually a food known as microalgae – seems
to be the powerhouse. It is favoured by surfers
and is consideredan internal sunscreen. In
the wild this microalgae is eaten by salmon,
shrimp and crayfish, giving them their reddish
colour. Commercially, it is grown in the intense
Hawaiian sun and also shows promise as an
anti-inflammatory for arthritis and other joint and
muscle complaints.
Modern studies show that exposure to
sunlight can also help lower blood pressure,
uplift mood, enhance the immune system,
lower blood sugar, kill bacteria, increase sex
hormones and help the body deal with stress.”
Sunscreens were not designed to increase
the amount of time spent in the sun, rather to
protect us in the event that we are in the sun.
“Ironically, our use of sunscreens as a licence
to sun-worship for hours on end means we are
actually increasing our risk of skin cancer.”
While there is no question that UV light in large
amounts is harmful, in trace amounts, natural
sunlight is a ‘life-supporting nutrient’. Many
experts recommend at least 30 minutes of
natural light per day, even if it’s sitting by an
open window or under the shade of a tree.
On the other hand, if you’re hitting the beach,
don’t forget to slip-slap-and-slop as you
embrace the wonderful gift that is the Kiwi
summer.
Still
reasons
to be a
sunlover
12
COROMANDEL LIFE 2014-15 HOLIDAY
Photo by Tovi Daly
HERE COMES
THE SUN
A toast to Summer