Comments on: Throw away the sunscreen! http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/ Challenging mainstream dogma on nutrition, health and disease. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:38:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Chris http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-199 Chris Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:24:54 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-199 Andrew, I'd agree that it's wise to avoid burn. However, I don't think it's a good idea to use commercial sunblock to do that, since many commercial sunblocks contain ingredients which cause... you guessed it... skin cancer. I'd suggest a sunblock with only titanium or zinc oxide as the active ingredient, and all natural ingredients otherwise. Coconut and sesame oil can be used as well, but they are only about SPF 2 from what I gather. Andrew,

I’d agree that it’s wise to avoid burn. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea to use commercial sunblock to do that, since many commercial sunblocks contain ingredients which cause… you guessed it… skin cancer.

I’d suggest a sunblock with only titanium or zinc oxide as the active ingredient, and all natural ingredients otherwise. Coconut and sesame oil can be used as well, but they are only about SPF 2 from what I gather.

]]> By: Andrew C http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-198 Andrew C Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:52:14 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-198 It seems like this is another case of the old adage, "Everything in moderation." I think slathering on sunscreen every time you go outside is a poor health decision due to the resultant limitation of vitamin D production. If I'm outside for an hour or less, or in the morning or evening, I don't wear sunscreen. On the other hand, I love being out on the water during the afternoon, and may be out for several hours. In these cases, it makes perfect sense to put on some SPF-30. That way I can enjoy the weather and not burn horribly. It seems like this is another case of the old adage, “Everything in moderation.” I think slathering on sunscreen every time you go outside is a poor health decision due to the resultant limitation of vitamin D production. If I’m outside for an hour or less, or in the morning or evening, I don’t wear sunscreen.

On the other hand, I love being out on the water during the afternoon, and may be out for several hours. In these cases, it makes perfect sense to put on some SPF-30. That way I can enjoy the weather and not burn horribly.

]]> By: cribcat http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-191 cribcat Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:54:43 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-191 The glasses that you wear also have a UV coating (prescription) Be aware of that. The glasses that you wear also have a UV coating (prescription) Be aware of that.

]]> By: Chris http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-189 Chris Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:40:25 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-189 John, Thanks for your comment. I couldn't agree more! Chris John,

Thanks for your comment. I couldn’t agree more!

Chris

]]> By: John http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-188 John Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:06:12 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-188 I grew up on the beaches of California. I spent nearly every day in the sun, and when I was much younger, most of those days did not involve the use of sunscreens. I've never had any issues with my skin. My skin is extremely healthy, and I honestly believe that my exposure to the sun at an early age is what, in part, has kept it healthy. I always try my best to get sun exposure now (I'm 44). I like the tan, and it feels good. I'm very aware of the benefits of Vit. D as well, and that is another reason why I make sure to get a reasonable amount of exposure. I think it's important for everyone to get sun exposure. Fair skinned people seem to think they need to cover up and try their best to not get any sun. I think what is more important is to get sun exposure and know your limits at the same time. If you are fair skinned, then 10-20 min. might be all that you can handle before you start to burn. Keep up that kind of thinking. Avoid getting burned. But don't eliminate exposure. Just know your limits. If you start to reach threshold, then try and get out of the sun. Then do it a couple of days later, or a week, or whatever you know you can handle. I find it odd how over the years, we've become obsessed with sunscreens. Sure, they have their place, but ultimately I believe the reason for the ocean of sunscreens is corporate profits. These big pharma companies want to turn everything into a condition or disease so they can sell us another product. The sun is an integral part of our existence. Humanity has lived in the sun for thousands of years, and it's only been within the past 50 years or so that the sun has all of a sudden become bad. It's marketing. it's business. It's desire for profits. As for the ozone? Perhaps it is reduced. However, I think the messages sent out about ozone depletion and its effects, are simply a method of instilling fear in people so we buy sunscreen products to protect us. I'm not saying it's a conspiracy. I think people who believe they are really smart, really aren't as smart as they think they are. They're simply making educated guesses, formulating hypotheses and theories. Humanity often thinks it finds the answer, solution, or fact about a given phenomenon, only to be proven wrong many years later. I believe many of our scientists are wrong about the dangers of sun exposure, and many people are lemmings running off the cliff's edge. I grew up on the beaches of California. I spent nearly every day in the sun, and when I was much younger, most of those days did not involve the use of sunscreens. I’ve never had any issues with my skin. My skin is extremely healthy, and I honestly believe that my exposure to the sun at an early age is what, in part, has kept it healthy.

I always try my best to get sun exposure now (I’m 44). I like the tan, and it feels good. I’m very aware of the benefits of Vit. D as well, and that is another reason why I make sure to get a reasonable amount of exposure.

I think it’s important for everyone to get sun exposure. Fair skinned people seem to think they need to cover up and try their best to not get any sun. I think what is more important is to get sun exposure and know your limits at the same time. If you are fair skinned, then 10-20 min. might be all that you can handle before you start to burn. Keep up that kind of thinking. Avoid getting burned. But don’t eliminate exposure. Just know your limits. If you start to reach threshold, then try and get out of the sun. Then do it a couple of days later, or a week, or whatever you know you can handle.

I find it odd how over the years, we’ve become obsessed with sunscreens. Sure, they have their place, but ultimately I believe the reason for the ocean of sunscreens is corporate profits. These big pharma companies want to turn everything into a condition or disease so they can sell us another product.

The sun is an integral part of our existence. Humanity has lived in the sun for thousands of years, and it’s only been within the past 50 years or so that the sun has all of a sudden become bad. It’s marketing. it’s business. It’s desire for profits.

As for the ozone? Perhaps it is reduced. However, I think the messages sent out about ozone depletion and its effects, are simply a method of instilling fear in people so we buy sunscreen products to protect us.

I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy. I think people who believe they are really smart, really aren’t as smart as they think they are. They’re simply making educated guesses, formulating hypotheses and theories.

Humanity often thinks it finds the answer, solution, or fact about a given phenomenon, only to be proven wrong many years later. I believe many of our scientists are wrong about the dangers of sun exposure, and many people are lemmings running off the cliff’s edge.

]]> By: Bruce http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-165 Bruce Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:09:35 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-165 Are you sure he rejected it? He moderates all posts, so sometimes it takes a day or two for them to appear. He has only rejected one of my posts, I think. There is a comment there in the Nutrition forum about "traditional wisdom vs modern science" by "the healthy skeptic." Is that your message? http://groups.msn.com/TheScientificDebateForum-/nutrition.msnw Are you sure he rejected it? He moderates all posts, so sometimes it takes a day or two for them to appear. He has only rejected one of my posts, I think. There is a comment there in the Nutrition forum about “traditional wisdom vs modern science” by “the healthy skeptic.” Is that your message?

http://groups.msn.com/TheScientificDebateForum-/nutrition.msnw

]]> By: Chris http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-164 Chris Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:52:39 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-164 Bruce, I joined the forum you linked to and tried posting a comment, but it was rejected by the moderator. I have absolutely no idea why, as it was simply a question about what reliable current sources of data on PUFA content in animal fats are available. Strange. Bruce,

I joined the forum you linked to and tried posting a comment, but it was rejected by the moderator. I have absolutely no idea why, as it was simply a question about what reliable current sources of data on PUFA content in animal fats are available.

Strange.

]]> By: Chris http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-163 Chris Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:29:27 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-163 Bruce, Your experience and the anecdotal reports you mention are definitely interesting. I doubt there is any data either way, since there's not much money to be made there by pharmaceutical companies. PUFA is a major part of the American diet and unfortunately that's not going to change anytime soon. I'll check out the group - thanks for the link. I'm curious about what the mechanism might be for the protective effect of a low PUFA diet against skin cancer. Bruce,

Your experience and the anecdotal reports you mention are definitely interesting. I doubt there is any data either way, since there’s not much money to be made there by pharmaceutical companies. PUFA is a major part of the American diet and unfortunately that’s not going to change anytime soon.

I’ll check out the group - thanks for the link. I’m curious about what the mechanism might be for the protective effect of a low PUFA diet against skin cancer.

]]> By: Bruce http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-162 Bruce Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:47:50 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-162 I haven't seen any data, but I haven't looked. I've seen anecdotal reports from many people that a low-PUFA diet makes them resistant to sun burns, and even regular burns (like at the stove). You might find references on the Scientific Debate Forum, which espouses an extremely low-PUFA diet as the solution to many chronic modern diseases. The author does eat some junk food, but only things made with coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or butterfat, or fully hydrogenated oils (100% saturated). He claims to have reversed many health problems, like rosacea, osteoporosis, and leaky gut. http://groups.msn.com/TheScientificDebateForum-/ Recently during a blackout I accidentally poured hot candle wax all over my hand and didn't have any burn mark from it afterwards. I don't burn in the sun. I don't tan easily. In fact, I saw old tan lines disappear when I started eating the extremely low PUFAs. Tanning is DNA damage and I am virtually immune to it now. Once, my skin flaked a little, but it didn't burn or turn red. No pain, no inflammation, no sunburn apparent from it. I haven’t seen any data, but I haven’t looked. I’ve seen anecdotal reports from many people that a low-PUFA diet makes them resistant to sun burns, and even regular burns (like at the stove). You might find references on the Scientific Debate Forum, which espouses an extremely low-PUFA diet as the solution to many chronic modern diseases. The author does eat some junk food, but only things made with coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or butterfat, or fully hydrogenated oils (100% saturated). He claims to have reversed many health problems, like rosacea, osteoporosis, and leaky gut.

http://groups.msn.com/TheScientificDebateForum-/

Recently during a blackout I accidentally poured hot candle wax all over my hand and didn’t have any burn mark from it afterwards. I don’t burn in the sun. I don’t tan easily. In fact, I saw old tan lines disappear when I started eating the extremely low PUFAs. Tanning is DNA damage and I am virtually immune to it now. Once, my skin flaked a little, but it didn’t burn or turn red. No pain, no inflammation, no sunburn apparent from it.

]]> By: Chris http://thehealthyskeptic.org/throw-away-the-sunscreen/#comment-161 Chris Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:56:01 +0000 http://thehealthyskeptic.org/?p=16#comment-161 Bruce, Thanks again for your very helpful comment. I'm curious as to whether you've seen any studies correlating low PUFA with protection from sunburn or skin cancer? While I completely agree with you (as you know) on the dietary suggestions you've made, I haven't yet seen any data establishing a connection specifically between PUFA and skin cancer. I'd love to see it if such data exists. Bruce,

Thanks again for your very helpful comment.

I’m curious as to whether you’ve seen any studies correlating low PUFA with protection from sunburn or skin cancer? While I completely agree with you (as you know) on the dietary suggestions you’ve made, I haven’t yet seen any data establishing a connection specifically between PUFA and skin cancer. I’d love to see it if such data exists.

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