Published March 20, 2004 in the North Island Weekender
It is that time of year when the days are becoming noticeably
longer and our yearning for the sun will take us to sunny holiday destinations.
Every year as I see people walking outdoors wearing sunglasses even on gray
days it prompts me to write this article on the benefits of sunshine. Sunlight
in moderation improves immunity, stimulates metabolism while decreasing food
cravings and increases our intelligence. America has a phobia about ultraviolet
light (UV) and we are encouraged year round to avoid the sun like the plague,
to wear sunglasses and slather on sunscreen from dawn until dusk. So called
science is warning us that the ozone depletion will increase our exposure to UV
light and yet where cultures who live the closest to part of the world where
the ozone layer is the thinnest, there is not seen an increase risk due to UV
radiation exposure. Even low exposure to UVB light increases the risk of senile
cataracts and glaucoma, but only with the consumption of a Western junk food
diet rich in unsaturated fats and oxidized products. Those who consume extra
amounts of vitamin C and E don’t get cataracts even from lengthy sun exposure.
Essential fats and melatonin regulate eye pressure to prevent glaucoma.
Melanoma, a fatal kind of skin cancer if not corrected, is
often blamed on sun exposure however a US Navy study found that most melanoma
was found in people who worked indoors or outdoors all the time versus
those who had moderate exposure and that the melanoma’s appeared on
parts of the body that are seldom exposed to the sun.
Sunscreens block out UVA and UVB rays but not the more harmful UVC rays and they block vitamin D3. They also contain carcinogens and the rise in skin cancers parallels the increase in sunscreen usage. A Russian study published in the Lancet in 1987, found that fluorescent light rather than sunlight promoted melanoma.
Dr. Ott in his last book, Light, Radiation and You: How to Stay Healthy states that
fluorescent tubes, as well as TV sets and computer terminals cause red blood
cells to clump together after prolonged exposure. This reduces alertness,
promotes a tired feeling and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Covering the ends of the tubes with lead tape blocks this negative effect as
does the use of full spectrum light bulbs. Sunlamps provide the dangerous UVC
rays and, if a person is eating a junk diet, will increase the risk of
melanoma. Other causes of melanoma that are not discussed in the media are:
chlorinated pools and drinking water and the use of synthetic hormones
including the birth control pill.
Full spectrum (FS) light in the classroom was found to
lessen aggressive behavior in hyperactive, learning disabled children and there
were fewer absentees, less tooth decay and increased immunity! I remember as a
child having huge windows in the classroom with no blinds and now many
classrooms have their blinds constantly closed and the windows are smaller.
Vitamin D is now considered a pro-hormone as well as a fat
soluble vitamin that is required for proper calcium metabolism. If you don’t
get enough there is an increase risk in tooth decay and osteoporosis and hip
fractures later in life.
FS light also strengthens immunity to protect against multiple sclerosis, heart
attacks, and conversion of HIV to AIDS. It fights cancer including leukemia.
Dr. Raymond Peat PhD. thinks FS sunlight is best received through glass and
found leukemia incidences lowered when children were exposed to this FS light
through glass in the classroom. Eyeglasses are another matter as most don’t
transmit UV light. Take them off along with sunglasses, when you are outdoors
whenever you can, for exposures of 30 minutes per day. (I find that I don’t
need my glasses when I am reading outside in the sunlight!) FS light entering
the eyes during the waking hours promotes the nighttime production of melatonin
which not only promotes sleep, but is a strong anti-oxidant. Enough sleep best
achieved in total darkness, will slow aging as well as act as an anti-cancer
and anti heart attack therapy! The decline in melatonin in everyone’s bodies
owing to longer daily exposure to artificial light may be a possible cause of
the increasing incidence of cancer in the 20th century.
FS is known to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, to reduce
the risk of retinal degeneration (the leading cause of blindness among the
elderly), and to decrease the risk of Parkinson’s Disease and multiple
sclerosis.
So what is the bottom line about skin cancer and preventing
it? Exposure of unprotected skin to early morning or evening sunlight 30
minutes per day will provide the above benefits along with 10,000 IU’s of
vitamin D. For those of you who are using sunscreen for sun exposure during
other times of the day consider the following: drink organic green tea, eat a
diet low in trans fats and supplement with fresh organic purified flax or fish
oils, consume 1 ounce of coconut oil to allow your body to generate ample
amounts of essential fatty acids, take supplemental selenium, Vitamin C, and E
that protects the skin against excess sun exposure and look for non
carcinogenic sunscreen containing titanium dioxide. Enjoy full spectrum light.
Take off those sunglasses for awhile and you will enjoy better health for it.
Dr.
Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently
practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com