Organic & Natural Magazine - Hannaford Supermarket

Sun Protection
Prevention inside and out
May 2008 | by Stef Schwalb
Reprinted with permission from Taste For Life

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary cause. Though these percentages seem high and the findings worrisome, you don’t need to head underground just yet. Nearly all skin cancers are preventable if detected and treated early. Advances in sun protection—both inside (thanks to supplements and diet) and out (thanks to new, natural products with cutting-edge ingredients)—make it safer for all of us who savor our time in the sun.

new breakthroughs
We all know the benefits of applying sunscreen to our skin when we’re outdoors for more than a few minutes or during midday. But what you may not realize is that antioxidants, either included in those products or ingested separately through diet and/or supplements, can significantly decrease your risk of damage from harmful ultraviolet rays. Research shows that the addition of antioxidants and protective phytochemicals can help prevent skin cancer while keeping skin firm and healthy.

the heat is on
Other hot elements to hit the sun care industry include the use of minerals in sunscreens, and several companies have combined them with antioxidants to make for some powerful products. Look for sunscreen products that contain natural emollients that help moisturize the skin and botanical antioxidants for protection, including vitamins A, C and E; green tea and herbal extracts; aloe; jojoba; shea butter; and acai. Choose organic products free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, and harmful chemicals.

For broad-based sun protection, a number of nutrients appear useful. You’ll find important antioxidants in the chart below.

Sun-protection nutrients

What to Use	How to Use it	Why
Astaxanthin	Take as a supplement and use topically.	Precursor to vitamin A tha tprotects tissues from oxidative damage.
Beta carotene	Include in your daily multivitamin/mineral.	May help prevent DNA mutations triggered by sun exposure.
Coenzyme Q10	Take 60 mg daily; may also be useful topically.	Antioxidant that fights freee radicals and increases oxygen supply to cells.
Green tea	Drink daily or take supplements; use topically in skin care	Contains antioxidants, anticarcinogens, and anti-inflammatories.
Lutein	Eat dark, leafy greens	Protects agains some damaging effects of sun exposure.
Lycopene	Consume red foods (tomatoes) or take supplements.	Helps prevent UVB damage.
Omega-3 fatty acids	Eat cold-water fish or take supplements.	Reduces UV-related skin inflammation and helps proctect cells.
Pycnogenol	Take as a supplement or use topically in skin care.	Antioxidant that appears to reduce skin damage.
Vitamin A	Take as mixed carotenoids and use topically in skin care.	Fights free radicals released by sun exposure; topically, promotes healing.
Vitamin C	Take with bioflavonoids and use topically in skin care.	Fights free radicals released by sun exposure; topically, promotes healing.
Vitamin E	Use in supplements and topically in skin care.	Fights free radicals released by sun exposure; topically, promotes healing.