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Eat Your Sunscreen?

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eat your sunscreen Eat Your Sunscreen?As summer approaches (or feels like it is already here, as the case is where I live), sun protection is definitely something to plan for, though I do it differently than most.

Conventional wisdom says to slather on some sunscreen and call it a day, but this is problematic for a couple of reasons. Wearing any sunscreen blocks the body’s ability to produce Vitamin D, which is vital for hundreds of reactions in the body (including cancer prevention).

Most sunscreens also contain toxic chemicals that can be more dangerous than moderate sun exposure. As I mentioned in a previous post:

Despite the push for more awareness about sun exposure, and the advice to use sunscreen whenever we go outside, incidence of skin cancer, especially melanoma, is rising dramatically.

In fact, skin cancer rates are rising by 4.2% annually, despite the fact that we  spend less time outdoors and wear more sunscreen.

So, if skin cancer rates are rising despite sunscreen use and reduced sun exposure, perhaps there is a deeper underlying cause. I’ve written before about the link between nutrition and sunburn, and I’m becoming even more convinced of this as more evidence emerges. The most convincing part for me personally was my own reaction to the sun over the last couple of years.

I’m Irish-Scottish (which is Latin for very fair skinned!) and have always burned. In fact, even moderate sun exposure would leave me with a pinkish glow rather than a tan… until the last couple of years.

Last summer, I was able to garden for 6-8 hours including during the heat of the day without burning. We also went to Florida for a friend’s wedding and I was at the beach for 4 hours between 11-3 with no sunscreen and I didn’t burn… at all!

To those of you blessed with olive skin, this may not seem like a big deal, but to me, this is huge! I also noticed looking back at pictures of me from last summer that I don’t look like the pale-stepchild among my Italian in-laws for the first time.

The Underlying Cause:

Doctors and sunscreen manufacturers are quick to push sunscreen for those who burn easily, but this is often the equivalent of giving antibiotics for every illness. It may address a short term problem, but it does nothing to address the underlying cause.

Sunburn is a type of inflammation, and diet has a tremendous impact on inflammation in the body. As such, addressing diet is often a much more important that just slathering on the sunscreen, plus dietary improvements can improve other areas of health as well.

Certainly, it is also wise to avoid burning by wearing protective clothing or by using homemade sunscreen for prolonged exposure, especially early in the year, but a good diet and a few supplements are often far more effective at day-to-day sun protection. (You can also use coconut oil on the skin for light protection, as it is naturally about an SPF 4)

Diet for Sun Protection:

A large part of natural sun protection is eating an anti-inflammatory diet. This type of diet will also be beneficial for many other health conditions, and if you’ve read my blog before, you know the drill:

Avoid:

  • processed foods
  • vegetable oils (this is the most important for sun exposure)
  • grains
  • sugars

Eat:

  • lots of healthy saturated fats
  • lots of foods rich in omega-3s (fish, etc)
  • lots of leafy greens
  • 2+ tablespoons of tomato paste daily

Supplements:

About this time of year, I also start taking a specific regimen of supplements that help reduce inflammation and improve sun tolerance. The supplements I take are:

  • Vitamin D3 (I take about 5,000 IU/day)- Emerging evidence shows that optimizing blood levels of Vitamin D can have a protective effect against sunburn and skin cancer
  • Vitamin C (I take about 2,000 mg/day)- A potent anti0inflammatory, and it is good for the immune system too.
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil melted in a cup of herbal tea per day- the Medium Chain Fatty Acids and saturated fat are easily utilized by the body for new skin formation and are protective against burning
  • Fermented Cod Liver Oil/High Vitamin Butter Oil Blend  (also great for remineralizing teeth)-Probably the most important supplement for sun protection. I take double doses during the summer and the kids take it too. Since adding this and the coconut oil daily, none of us have burned. It’s also great for digestive and oral health. (Amazon finally has the capsules back in stock)
  • Astaxanthin- A highly potent antioxidant which research shows acts as an internal sunscreen. It’s also supposedly an anti-aging supplement. I don’t give this one to the kids though.

That’s our regimen and we don’t ever use conventional sunscreen and only use the homemade stuff a couple times a year.

Do you eat your sunscreen? Still use the toxic stuff? Avoid the sun completely? Tell me below!

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About Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie is a full-time housewife with a background in nutrition, journalism and communications. Her passion is helping others achieve optimal health through a “Wellness Lifestyle.” She has helped hundreds of clients lose weight, increase athletic performance, improve fertility, and overcome numerous health problems and diseases. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, & Pinterest.

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DISCLAIMER: The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

  • Emily

    What a great post! Do you have any tweaks to the list of supplements above if I’m a nursing mother? I assume they’re all great for breast milk, but just checking!

    I’m definitely going to try this regimen as we are on a sailboat often in the summer (nowhere to hide from the sun) although I already do the Vitamin D and Coconut Oil.

    I do have olive skin, but it’s very fair at the same time and ever since I got pregnant last year I tend to burn more easily. I think it’s attributed to being out of the sun more as I was either pregnant and couldn’t tolerate it and now I have a baby who I try to keep out of the sun (and I won’t use sunscreen on her). I think I had a sun tolerance built up from living in Hawaii and Costa Rica and now I’ve lost it. I never burned there and I believe my body got used to it. Also, I was eating a lot of the things mentioned above and eating the best food/diet I’ve ever eaten. Maybe that’s why! I never put it together that a great diet would provide sunscreen benefits! Thanks again!

  • Cathy

    We still use sunblock (as opposed to sunscreen, safer ingredients) for very occasional outings, such as going to the water park ALL day or something like that.  And my facial tinted moisturizer does contain a sunblock, SPF 15.  But other than that, we just get in the sun.  We do have a good intake of vitamins D and C, but not very much coconut oil regularly.  We do take fish oil, but not currently the CLO/butter oil from Green Pastures.  I made the mistake of buying the non-capsule forms and traumatized the whole family, I think.  Need to try again with the capsules.

  • Cathy

     I should say, we also cook with only butter and lard and use some olive and grapeseed oils in baking or for homemade mayo (olive).  So we do have a good intake of better fats.

  • Bahainlove

    I love your posts! So informative :)

  • Saultite

    If we drink whole raw milk, do we need the butter oil?

  • http://crankymonkeys.com/blog/ mrs b @crankymonkeys in london

    I am so confused right now. Sunscreens are toxic?!?!?! Why are they sold? Have I been poisoning my kids??? I used to live in Australia and not putting on sunblock is unheard of…. What about sun damage ie sun spots, wrinkles, etc???

  • Joycehoffer

    Do you give your kids the same dose of everything?  Except the Axtaxanthin?

  • Joycehoffer

    I mean…Astaxanthin.

  • Joycehoffer

    I have always been an avid sunblock/sunscreen user and I certainly lathered my kids up!  We have a pool and I wanted them to be protected.  After reading this, I won’t be using it anymore!  I’m going to make the homemade stuff and change other things.  We have already been going out daily for half an hour to get our sun and no burns yet. ..

  • m&M

    I am new here :) why 2+ Tbsp of tomato paste daily?

  • Lc2kidsnahubby

    This is interesting to me because my whole family has fair skin, but my children and I have to be in the sun a long time to burn, but my husband(who loves sugar and fried foods) burns easily.

  • Kwfurth

    my child has had skin cancer so i simply can’t take the chance of NOT using sunscreen. However, we use all natural mineral based sunscreen instead of the other stuff. That, combined with your suggestions is the way togo for us.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    They get half doses of the Vitamin D and FCLO

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    The concentrated lycopene helps reduce inflammation… also good for cancer prevention supposedly. I mix mine into eggs or veggie smoothies

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    The concentrated lycopene helps reduce inflammation… also good for cancer prevention supposedly

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    yep… those Omega-6 oils are awful! When we travel and I have to eat stuff that has them, I burn a lot easier too

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Just out of curiosity, how old is your child? That’s great that you use natural sunscreen already, and the supplements will still be helpful, even if you are minimizing sun exposure :-)

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Unfortunately, lots of toxic things are sold, and many of them are sold as food (processed foods, soda, chips, etc). There are a lot of chemicals in sunscreen and a correlation between increased sunscreen use and increased rates of skin cancers. You also hear of people getting melanoma in places that the sun doesn’t touch anyway, so its logical that there is a deeper cause. If you can, I”d encourage you to use natural homemade sunscreen or just coconut oil instead, and to take the supplements to help either way :-)

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Not necessarily. Wouldn’t hurt, but wouldn’t be as necessary if you are drinking raw milk

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Thanks :-)

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    All safe during nursing, though the astaxanthin wouldn’t be completely necessary. If you do take it, just make sure it doesn’t say not to take while nursing and that there are no questionable additives to the brand you get.

  • http://crankymonkeys.com/blog/ mrs b @crankymonkeys in london

    I eat very little gluten , no sugar and no processed foods but have always thought that sunblock is a must. I’m gathering now that tanning without burning is not damaging to your skin?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Especially if the goal is getting some good vitamin D, not just the appearance of a tan, it is a very healthy thing. Just make sure not to burn, eat lots of good fats, and it will actually be great for your skin! :-)

  • Emily

    Thank you for this post- I am also very fair skinned and I have never been able to tan once in my life. Do you suggest any specific brand for the Vitamin D and C supplements? 

  • Christinadisser

    Absolutely wonderful article.  Each summer I lean more and more towards putting no sunscreen on my kids.  I’ve slowly gone the route of only applying it during the most intense parts of the day.  Luckily two of my 3 children have that great olive skin that doesn’t burn.  My oldest is fair like myself so he is more likely to burn.  I would like to try these supplements for improving their sun tolerance as well as mine.  What dosage of everything do you recommend for children (mine are 6, 8 and 9)?  We are on the right track as my husband and I eat Paleo and the kids eat very clean.  I appreciate all your insight!!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    My kids get 1000 IU a day of Vitamin D, 1-2,000 mg of vitamin c, the coconut oil in a smoothie, 1/2 tsp of fermented cod liver oil, and I give them herbal teas to drink. With a good diet, the kids shouldn’t need the extra antioxidants.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    The brands I use are in my “store” tab, or just check whatever brand you get for no questionable ingredients :-)

  • JamesRandolph

    Really interesting article – fits in with the fact that people in the Mediterranean (despite much more sun exposure and far less use of sunscreen) have much lower skin cancer rates than people in the US, UK and Australia (
    Only around three in every 100,000 people living in Mediterranean countries develop malignant melanoma, compared with up to 22 per 100,000 in Scandinavia and 50 per 100,000 in Australia – source: 
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3183834/Mediterranean-diet-halves-risk-of-skin-cancer.html )

    Diet just has to be a significant factor.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Great statistics! Thanks!

  • http://farmpartment.wordpress.com/ Farmer A

    I’ve noticed the same thing; I’ve always been an SPF-100+ kind of girl, but I haven’t had a serious sunburn since I went Real Food.  Maybe a little pinkness, but that’s it.  It’s awesome – I don’t mind the actual burn so much, but I hate peeling afterwards!

    I’d guess that replacing vegetable oils with good fats has helped me the most, since that’s the change I’ve been most consistent about.  So for those who might want to focus on one thing for simplicity, swapping your fats might make a big difference.

  • http://twitter.com/thehealthbubble Natalie Zee

    I personally think that the reason for low levels of Vitamin D should be investigated in more depth as I’ve read a lot about illness causing the levels to be low, rather than the levels being low causing illness.  Ignoring that, I certainly support anything that involves not covering yourself in chemicals!  However is it conclusive that your skin is not getting damaged because it’s not getting burnt?  …

  • Kwfurth

    Sorry, I didn’t reply sooner- just saw your post. She has had 2 basal cell carcinomas that were found at 18 years of age. She is now 20. It was very  frightening as basal cells are uncommon amongst younger people. She is very blonde, light eyed and fair. 
    We tested her vitamin D levels after the skin cancer was found and her level was 19 (i’m not sure how its configured) She now takes 4,000 i.u. a day and her levels are in the 60′s.
    Its difficult to keep a college kid who’s away from home, eating healthy, but she’s very open to it and uses coconut oil as a daily moisturizer as well.
    I love your posts. You are so helpful. Keep it up!!

  • Fruitcakey

    I have a question about the Butter Oil / Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend:

    These are very expensive to order and I am especially sensitive to the sun, because of medications, would it be worth it for me and also would I have to take them every single day or just days that I’m going to be exposed to the sun more so than usual? We buy the sunscreen right now that has no toxins, but it’s not cutting it completely and it’s miserable putting it on every day (multiple times) as well as having to wear a bunch of extra clothing in the heat. It beats the bumps and sun burn that I get without it.

  • lamont3

    Wellness Mama….THANK YOU for posting this! I have a quick question. You say to avoid vegetable oil but to eat a lot of healthy fats. Can you specify? For example, I avoid canola/peanut oil, and opt for cooking with grapeseed, olive or coconut oil. Would those three types of oils fall under the category of vegetable oil or healthy fats? 

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Healthy fats specifically would be good saturated fats like coconut oil, real butter, grass-fed meats, fish, etc. Also, things like olive oil in moderation, but they don’t have the same protective benefit. The fermented cod liver oil/butter blend has probably the most effect though. Also, I’d personally not cook in olive oil, since it oxidizes quickly when heated, but is is wonderful for salad dressings or cool dishes…

  • shelly

    i have to say thanks! Ive been burned 4 times already this year from running on my long runs and I dont eat processed foods and sugar and hardly any grains. HOwever Im not regular on taking my FCLO so will try to make it regular!

  • Jennifer

    I’m redheaded and recently moved to the desert.  I quickly noticed that I only had to ever wear sunscreen when we were at the beach, being out in the desert sun never burned my skin anymore.  It was strange but I was very happy.  I asked doctors about it here and there and they had no answer for it.  I don’t think they even believed me.  I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant 4 years ago and so have been eating gluten free for 4 years now.  I was wondering if that actually had anything to do with it and it seems that it does.  Cool!

  • erin

    I do everything but the vitamin C (can’t take it b/c I have iron overload) and the 
    Astaxanthin (never heard of it until now).  I still need sunscreen thought.  I’m very skeptical that it would be possible to get away without any sunscreen at all unless you didn’t spend long periods of time in the sun.  We go to the beach all the time.

  • http://twitter.com/katste41 Kat Stevens

    Yes I eat my sunscreen!  I do not use sunscreen lotion but I take 2000 mg Vitamin C with bioflavonoids before I go out and another 100o mg every hour or hour 1/2 while I am out in the sun and it keeps me from burning.

  • http://twitter.com/katste41 Kat Stevens

    no lotion for me, I take 2000 mg vitamin C with bioflavonoids before I go out and 1000 mg every hour I am out in the sun and I do not burn.  

  • Gloriaoils

    Great post. Two supplements that have helped us are MSM (the good form of sulfur) and a broad spectrum liquid mineral supplement, plus drinking enough water. One day we were out on the ocean in a kayak for 3-4 hours, had our water (with MSM and minerals in it), and came home without any burn. — I found that my children did not burn when I was breastfeeding them. Then I found out that breastmilk is high in MSM. Plus, I was taking a good mineral supplement then, too. Those things putt the idea of “eating my sunscreen” into my head. Your post gave me some more “food for thought.” Thank you.

  • Natalie

    Where do you buy your vitamins? I know they are extremely important, but I’m really struggling to afford it all…how do you do it?

  • Charlotte H.

    Fantastic and very interesting. I noticed when my husband and I switched from a highly processed diet to a diet very high in whole foods (basically we started home-cooking all of our food) that I recovered from general burns much faster than I used to. For example, before my diet change, I was burned by my hair straightener so much that it caused a blister. After my diet change, I once accidentally put my thumb directly on my hot hair straightener (stupid hair straighteners!). When I pulled my thumb away, I was scared of the burn I would get considering the direct contact. To my utter surprise, I had no mark at all. I have since moved to Australia where sun burns and skin cancer are a serious problem. I have to wear sunscreen EVERY DAY during the summer, but on occasion I forget to put sunscreen on my part (my hairline part) then go on a long walk. I find I don’t suffer the same pain as I used to if I forgot to put sunscreen on.  Now that I mostly eat whole foods and a negligible amount of junk food, not only do I get sick less often and for a shorter amount of time, but yes I notice I don’t suffer from burns nearly as often as I used to. I’m glad to see an article dedicated to informing people of this phenomenon. :D

  • http://www.EasyLunchboxes.com Kelly Lester

    Pretty fascinating info. Thank you!

  • Kathy

    Thank you for such wonderful information. I am wondering about the Fermented Cod Liver Oil/High Vitamin Butter Oil Blend  . My kiddos and I have a milk allergy so I don’t think we would be able to take it. Is there anything else we could use instead? I’m assuming just omega 3s isn’t enough.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    You can just get the fermented cod liver oil without the butter blend and it will still be great for boosting the Omega-3s

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  • Kranzush Kate

    A 1/4 cup of coconut oil in your tea??  really?  That seems like a lot for just a cup of tea…

  • Kranzush Kate

    A 1/4 cup of coconut oil in your tea??  In just a mug of tea?  That seems like a lot for such a little amount of tea… maybe I need to make my cups bigger?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    It is, and it is definitely hard to get it down. It would probably be easier in a smoothie, but I prefer just to melt in tea and chug…

  • DEnise

    Just happened to see this before our vacation in the Florida Keys. I’ve been eating Paleo for about 9 months and happened to be taking all the supplements you described…except for astaxanthin (never heard of it). I have always burned easily, but decided to go without sunscreen and see how I would do. Amazing! After five days of boating and swimming I have not sunburned at all. Thanks for getting this info out there :)

  • Cathy

    I added the Butter Oil/FCLO capsules to my diet right after reading this the first time, as well as coconut oil some days (when I remember).  My husband commented the other night about how tan I’m getting and someone at church yesterday said I looked like I’ve gotten some sun.  This about the pale girl who usually burns then turns very reddish tan a bit and freckles.  So this must be working!  I also ordered the astaxanthin and am waiting for it’s arrival.

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  • Karmann

    I have a 3 year old and could easily get the tomato paste and vitamin C into her diet, but do you have any suggestions for the coconut oil? I’ve done smoothies, but if you have other ideas, I’d really appreciate it!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    One of my kids favorite is to drink “coffee” with us each morning, except that their coffee is 1 cup of herbal tea (I use Red Raspberry Leaf- still warm) blended in a blender or food processor with 1 tablespoon coconut oil. It makes a frothy drink that looks like coffee but it completely healthy. You can also add a tiny pinch of stevia leaf or brew it into the tea for some sweetness.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gnovakov Goran Novakovic

    I hardly ever wear sunscreen anymore, havent for the past 3 years, never burnt, always got a nice tan, and Im really pale!

    I also try to eat primal/paleo and get my suplements in all year round! I was even in miami last summer in scorching 30C heat, and did not get burnt, while everyone else was red as a lobster, and they wore sunscreen! hahaha

  • Kara Maynard

    I love that my kids will just munch fish oil tabs :) Funny how when you introduce things early, it’s no big deal! Need to try cutting grains completely..it’s the hard one for us. Wish I had gone GF before the babes were born, would have made it alot easier than trying to get them to give up bread now ;)

  • Michelle Headley

    We can buy all kinds of things that are toxic, sunscreens are no exception. They are sold because companies can make money off the ignorance of the masses (don’t even get me started on this one!). That’s not to say that people are stupid, they’re just trusting conventional wisdom and their doctors (who are also trusting conventional wisdom) who tell us the sun is bad for us. You can’t feel guilty (ie poisoning kids, that’s strong wording. I don’t
    think anyone would accuse you of that unless you were pouring the
    sunscreen down their throats) about what you didn’t know in the past. That doesn’t mean you can’t change what you’re doing NOW. Now you know better. Now you have more info. and a strategy. As for sun spots and wrinkles…I’m an esthetician. Beautiful skin is my job and my passion. I do not use chemical sunscreens, and have not done so for years. I can tell you that the number one best thing you can do to maintain healthy skin is to eat well. Lots of veggies and some fruit gives you tons of antioxidants which are super important for skin health. Skin is an organ, and just like every other organ, it loves to eat fat! Skin is made up of (mostly) protein, so it loves when the body gets meat! Give it what it loves, and not what it doesn’t (sugar…it HATES sugar. Fact: SUGAR causes wrinkles and “sun spots”) and it will be healthy. All that being said, proper exfoliation and hydration/moisturization, not staying out until you get burned, all these are within your control and greatly contribute to keeping your skin looking and acting youthful.

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  • Charlotte

     I started following Weston Price and Nourishing Traditions type eating habits 2 years ago, and didn’t have any sunburns those summers. That was SO unusual for me, as a very pale Irish girl! I burned despite slathering on tons of chemical-ridden sunscreen every year until then. I kept wondering what changed, and you’ve solved the mystery! I never even thought diet could protect me this much. Thanks for this info — it makes me so relieved to know that my young kids will grow up without all the burns I had every year. 

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    As a fellow irish girl, I agree… that was the biggest relief for me to realize that my kids would be able to enjoy the sun without getting burned…

  • Daria

    When taking the supplements, do you have to space them out thru the day or can they be taken at the same time? 
    Also, I use coconut oil on my skin every day.  Would that be enough or do I have to ingest it?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    It works best if you ingest it too since it works as an internal protector. I take the supplements at the same time, except the vitamin C, which I take at a different time than the magnesium..

  • Nicole

    Do you have any suggestions on a good natural sunscreen that you can buy just for the times that I might need sunscreen?  I am slowly working up to be able to buy all the supplements and such but we still tend to get a little red when out in the sun.  I have been on the EWG’s website, but still some of the natural things out there have toxins in them and are hard to find.  Also, I know that you do have your sunscreen recipe on here and I might try it — I am a sucker for the coconut smell — is there a way to get that smell naturally — I love it for sunscreen, lotion, soap, etc.  Most natural soaps and such though don’t have a coconut smell to them and I miss that smell — any suggestions?  Would a coconut extract oil type work?  Thanks for everything.

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  • Tonja Field

    Not sure if you follow Balanced Bites at all, but I asked her about takin Vitamin D WITH the FLCO/BO blend and she says it isn’t necessary. 1 tsp alone of it can have up to 5000IU of Vit D – wasn’t sure if you were aware of that. Anyway, I had been taking Vit D (4000 IU) for awhile and felt GREAT and she suggested I stop when I start the FLCO/BO blend and see how I felt before adding more in – just do I don’t over-do it. Just passing on the info I was told! Thanks for this post. I’ve been telling everyone! I usually burn before I tan and although I still get a little pink after a few hours in the sun, not nearly as much or as bad! Yay! 

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  • Kletsgo

    This is great!! I’m Scotch-Irish but moreso than that I’m Norwegian, so going out in the sun is normally a death sentence. I can’t wait to start this!!

  • Bek

    WOW the CLO you referenced is CRAZY expensive! Is that the only kind of fermented stuff out there? I usually get this kind of thing on vitacost and they only have regular CLO and  no blends. How important is it to get that kind? I do all the other things on the list but I am not sure it is worth $75/bottle for FCLOblend…Thank you for the helpful post, though!

  • Mommyvomitpants

    1/4 cup of coconut oil is 48g of saturated fat.  That’s a lot of saturated fat for the day, especially if you’re eating it every day.  How do you avoid having high cholesterol?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I don’t eat processed food and don’t worry about it at all… http://wellnessmama.com/1853/prevent-heart-disease-eat-more-cholesterol/

  • Mommyvomitpants

    But just because you don’t eat processed food doesn’t mean you don’t have horrible cholesterol (which is not good for you). You wouldn’t want to drop dead from clogged arteries. People who eat paleo (which is a great way to eat, for the most part) notoriously have bad cholesterol. There might be a better way than ingesting such amounts of saturated fat. It is something that you should be worried about and have checked. .

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    The majority of people who “drop dead from clogged arteries” have normal or low cholesterol. I have average cholesterol but EXCELLENT HDL to LDL ratios, which is more important. Markers like C-Reactive Protein and scans of calcification in arteries are much more correlated to heart disease than cholesterol (which the body will actually make MORE of if you aren’t getting it from diet). I’d highly recommend this article http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2011/01/does-dietary-saturated-fat-increase.html and his entire blog for more research on the non-link between the two…

  • shannon

    I think this advice is all well and good, but I’m leery of your referring to the increased cases of skin cancer which coincide with the decreased time outside. This is definitely true, but I have no confidence at all that this is because we used to take supplements and now we don’t.

    While I do believe that your nutritional advice is sound and healthful, you didn’t connect the dots enough for my own sense of relief. As a fellow fair skinned friend I just can’t take the chance of repeat offenses on my body by eliminating what I do know to work for a bunch of pills (supplements are still pills and without extensive knowledge or guidance from an herbalist can be just as risky as anything from pfizer).

    Still, I am curious what other options are available for we Snow Whites out there. Until I get some more solid information, however, I’m just going to keep checking EWG’s sunscreen guide and buying my purple prairie. I hope to read more about this as time keeps on tickin tickin tickin into the future.

  • Ejmoe22

    Will an unfermented Omega-3 fish oil that lists anchovy and sardine as the fish source be effective in place of the fermeted cod liver oil? Specifically I have Schiff brand Omega-3 Fish Oil.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    It won’t be quite as effective, but still good.

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  • Dunn Lola05

    The idea that sunscreen puts a person at higher risk or developing cancer is complete lunacy.   None of your links provided any evidence based research to support such a claim.  If anything the rise is cancer is due to increased cancer screening in recent years.  Please try a litter harder to substantiate your claim next time with some actual proven scientific research.  

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama
  • Lisa

    I just came across your blog, and give it a 1000 thumbs up! Awesome job! This article on sun protection is great, and I can’t wait to try your sunscreen bars! I take Astaxanthin daily, as well as coconut oil and they are both wonderful. Haven’t tried the coconut oil in tea yet though – that will be my treat today! I did have a few comments, as I have been studying natural health since I was 13, which is about 37 years now, and one of the most important things I have learned in the past few years is how much isolated nutrients can be as harmful as they are helpful. For instance, almost every vitamin C supplement on the market is ascorbic acid. Well, ascorbic acid is actually just the antioxidant that surrounds the whole vitamin c complex to prevent degradation. Yet our supplement industry in it’s infinite wisdom allows it be called vitamin C. So my point is to get your C and D from whole food sources. For C, I take “C From Nature” from Purium Health products. You can check them out here, and there is also an article on the benefits of whole food nutrtion on the same page: http://phporder.com/ProductPage.aspx?ItemID=11&ID=energyhealing. And for D, the best source I have found is sunflower seeds, and mushrooms. A variety of mushrooms is best, and Shiitakes are my favorite! You can get them frozen now at Whole Foods at a good price.

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  • Stephanie Larivee

    I’ve seen you recommend ingesting 1/4C to 1/2C of coconut oil per day, so I’m curious if you consume other sources of fats like avocados or nuts and if 1/4C per day is something you built up to or if you recommend people just start with 1/4C per day and if I’m looking to lose weight, is 1/4C per day a good amount to take? I’ve never subscribed to the low-fat dogma, but 1/4C (or 1/2C!) a day seems like a lot!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I worked up to it by starting with a tablespoon a day in hot coffee or tea. Coconut oil has a metabolism boosting effect, so it will help weight loss, but you’ll have to see what works best for your body. I do best in the 1/4-1/2 cup range, but some people will need more or less…

  • alyssa

    Last summer my boyfriend told me about internal sunscreen, and taking his advice I never had a single sunburn for the rest of the summer! Just a nice sexy tan.

  • disqus_1RCjVbdTo0

    Great post! Once I made edible play dough for my preschooler and he recently asked if I would make edible sunscreen. Now I know how. ;)

  • Brian

    Any suggestions for vegans? Or our we stuck like chuck? Thanks

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    These specific nutrients and fats are the only ones I’ve found that work this way, so I don’t know of any vegan options…

  • disqus_ztboU8XUWh

    5000IUs of D3 AND FCOL is a lot of vit D isn’t?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Either or…

  • Lisa Cook

    On a related note (inflammation), I’ve been researching some anti-inflammatory habits. My baby wears a Baltic Amber teething necklace, which is said to reduce inflammation and pain by releasing succinic acid when warm against the skin. I found a place that sells them in adult sizes too. Have you heard of anyone using these for anti-inflammatory purposes, as an adult?

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  • Cortny

    Can you help me understand exactly what is in the Fermented Cod Liver Oil/High Vitamin Oil butter blend you use? I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want my kids and I to start taking it and be able to ditch the sunscreen, but I really can’t do $70 for 120 capsules on amazon. :( Are there some other types of things I could combine to get the same or at least similar effect? Thank you so much! Your website has been a life-changer for us!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    They very occasionally have huge sales and I try to post those if I see them, but they really are the best out there. One alternative would be just taking the FCLO by itself and consuming a lot of grassed butter and coconut oil to get the fats in balance… the FCLO plain is at least cheaper than the blend. There are some other regular cod livers oils that are ok, but I still don’t know that I’d take/recommend them…

  • Cortny

    Thanks for your reply. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for a sale! Now, to convince the hubby it’s way worth the cost….. ;)

  • Lily

    Fascinating. Perusing your site and getting more and more motivated to make the change to grain-free!

  • Lily

    Dunn Lola05, you should look up the effects of retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A) which is added to many sunscreens. You will be surprised.

  • Jennifer

    Zink oxide is bad for yr skin why do you recommend a home made sun screen with zink oxide in it?

  • Megan Moriarty

    How soon before the summer should I start these supplements?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    I personally start at least a month before…

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  • Kelly Killeen

    I never really burned growing up even though I am Irish. I was on swim team every year and played outside every day until dark. It wasn’t until I got into high school and moved in with my aunt, that I started burning. We ate a lot of fast food and drank a lot of soda. Now that I have my own family and we try to eat healthier (mostly organic, and minimally processed) I really don’t burn like I used to. Thanks for helping me make that connection!

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  • Emilyylime

    Kroger is now carrying astaxanthin! Nature made makes it now! :) I don’t know if you already knew that or if you bought from amazon for a reason.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Good to know!

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  • Suz

    Is there an alternative to the butter/cod blend because I cannot afford the capsules you recommend?

  • Kenyon

    Can you explain the purpose of eating tomato paste daily for sun protection? My daughter has fructose malabsorption and can’t eat tomato paste (or sauce). If I can find out the purpose of tomato paste, perhaps I can find a low-fructose whole food substitute. Thanks!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1483732906 Dora Ruilova

    That is totally awesome!!!! I too am descended from Scots and Norweigians…Latin for I also burn if I get more than about half an hour of sun!!! This article is just what I was looking for! Thanks a ton!!!

  • natalie

    Any suggestions for those of us who can’t afford the cod/butter blend? Any substitutions? I’m on a very tight budget but really want to be sun-safe! My little boys and myself are very fair!!!

  • Mother Matriarch

    I rarely use sunscreen. I burn easily, so I go out and “use my sunshine” sparingly. I have pink undertones and I am white as snow. I plan on following these guidelines, though. I’ll do anything for a healthy tan. Or at least, match this farmer’s tan I have going on.. blehck!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    You can do coconut oil/butter/fish oil instead…

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    The lycopene is helpful but it isn’t as important as the other parts, so I’d focus on the good fats if she can handle those…

  • Suz

    Thanks for the response! Do you mean a blend of all 3? Or just to incorporate them in your diet? If you meant to blend them, is there a recommended ratio?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Just to incorporate them in to the diet. I aim for a couple tablespoons each of coconut oil and butter and a regular dose of fish oil each day if i’m not taking the FCLo

  • http://www.facebook.com/kara.cissna Kara Cissna

    Wait, why are we supposed to avoid grains??? I thought it’s healthy to eat whole grains and is imperative to digestion.

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  • brian.krista

    How do I give the fermented cod liver/butter oil to my 2 year old? I’ve bought the capsules you suggested for myself, but they are much to big for him to take. I tried squeezing it out for him, but he hated the taste & it is wasting the oil because I can’t get it all out! Suggestions?

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    They also have a gel version. For my kids, I keep in the fridge to make it harder and then scoop some on a spoon, drizzle or dip in to honey and then give to them…

  • Carmen Lock

    How do you take the magnesium? When do you take the magnesium? At breakfast, lunch or dinner? I will really appreciate your prompt response…… I love your blog!!!!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    Before bed…

  • Salem

    I am of the same decent (VERY fair- always have had to wear the lightest foundation available) & my husband & kids are fair skinned as well. I actually discovered the internal sunscreen benefits of FCLO/HVBO on accident this year. We went to the zoo several weeks ago (just when it had gotten warm & really sunny) & we were there in the middle of the day for 6+ hours (most of it in the sun). We are at a high altitude, so I have burned in the winter before. Since my kids are better at taking their FCLO/HVBO blend than I am, I did get a tiny pink, but they were just a little more tan (NO BURN AT ALL for them). Usually, it would take me about 20 minutes to get as pink as I did, but instead it took 6 hours. I was so amazed. I am now better at taking my FCLO/HVBO. It helps my baby too, since she is breastfeeding. But, we try to keep a hat on her (& keep her in the shade) when we are out for very long, since I don’t think she needs as much sun anyway. This is a great post! Thanks for writing it. :-)

  • Danielle Kid

    I am confused..I recently read a book called Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs, which is truly inspirational and life-saving. He went to several doctors and recommends a shot-glass-ful of sunscreen every 2-4 hours, but you say otherwise. Which way do I veer towards?

  • TedHutchinson

    I think we should remember that humans evolved initially without clothing and those with the palest skins (highest potential for making Vitamin D) had an evolutionary advantage for living further from the Equator, while those with the most natural sunscreen (darkest skin colour) had the advantage when it comes to living nearer the Equator.

    Obviously if living outdoors naked led to early death (from skin cancer) those early humans would not have survived the evolutionary process.

    So there must have been something different about their skin texture or diet that provided them with a natural protection against being damaged from UV radiation. That is why I suggest people pay careful attention to what Wellnessmama has suggested and why I find that my skin now doesn’t burn when I lay naked in the midday sun. It will take several weeks (12~20) to restore the natural potential for photo-protection that comes from improving your natural anti-inflammatory status. but it can be done. But you must never allow your skin to burn nor should you let anyone in your company remain unaware if their skin is turning pink. There is absolutely no need (as far as vitamin D production is concerned) to allow skin to become inflamed.

    Bear in mind that I live in the UK where hot sunlight is in short supply. Living in hotter countries may put greater pressure on your skins anti-inflammatory reserves but I’ve not used sunscreen for years since raising my omega 3 and vitamin D status while eliminating omega 6 vegetable/seed oils from my diet.

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  • Dan Biz Spalding

    I’m looking at doing the mixture of coconut oil, butter, and fish oil because we really can’t afford the other. I’m wondering if we still need to do the VItamin D and then what exactly my kids need to take and amounts. They are 2 and 5.

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    If you are getting sunshine daily, you won’t need anything else during the summer…

  • Dan Biz Spalding

    Thanks for getting back to me! I do have one more question….on the tomato paste….do tomatoes or tomato juice work the same? This is all so new to me. Thanks for your help!

  • http://wellnessmama.com Wellness Mama

    They do, but you have to eat more as they aren’t as concentrated…

  • Dan Biz Spalding

    Thank you, that is what I wondered.

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