Eat Your Sunscreen?

Wellness Mama 120 Comments

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!

PDF

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: skin cancer, sun health, sunscreen, vitamin d

About Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama 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.

Disclaimer: Many of the links on my site, especially those from Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs, Tropical Traditions and OraWellness are affiliate links. Should you click on these links and decide to purchase anything, I will receive a small commission and you will have my sincere thanks for supporting Wellness Mama!

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.
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
Pingback: A Few Interesting Tidbits | Northwest Cavegirls
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.
Pingback: Homemade Sunscreen Bars « Diary of an Angry Fat Woman
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.
Pingback: Eat Your Sunscreen
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.
Pingback: How to Make Herbal Popsicles ~ A Recipe
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!
Pingback: How to Treat a Sunburn Naturally
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.
Pingback: here « SaraElizabethB's Blog
Pingback: Toothaches: A Blessing in Disguise « SaraElizabethB's Blog
Pingback: Do I Need Supplements? | Wellness Mama
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

Complete lunacy, huh? Here are a few more scholarly articles to back it up: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507131951.htm http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120508/9804/sunscreen-sunblock-uva-melanoma-zinc-oxide-free-radicals.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1694089/pdf/amjph00541-0112.pdf (PDF)
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.
Pingback: 9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s Health | Portland Maine Acupuncture and Massage, Herbal Medicine, Shiatsu, Nutraceutical Counseling
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?
Pingback: My Typical Day: Health + Parenting + Cleaning | Wellness Mama
Pingback: 9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Child's Health | Wellness Mama
Pingback: Why Sunbathing is Healthy and Sunscreen Might Not Be | Wellness Mama
Pingback: 7 Reason to Keep a Health Journal | Wellness Mama
Pingback: Optimizing Wellness- 10 Health Changes that Make A Big Difference | Wellness Mama
Pingback: Homemade Sunscreen Lotion Bar Recipe | Wellness Mama
Pingback: 7 Unusual Health Changes that Make a Big Impact | Wellness Mama
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…
Pingback: Vitamin D Deficiency and Suppliments - Page 2
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!
Pingback: My Evolutionary Tinted Glasses : Wholesome Mamma
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!
Pingback: How to Treat Sunburn Naturally at Home: A Recipe for an After Sun Spray
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…

Eat Your Sunscreen?

The Underlying Cause:

Diet for Sun Protection:

Supplements:

Like What You Read?

Search Wellness Mama

Latest Pins on Pinterest

My Facebook Friends

Wellness Success

Eat Your Sunscreen?

The Underlying Cause:

Diet for Sun Protection:

Supplements:

Related Posts

Like What You Read?

Search Wellness Mama

Latest Pins on Pinterest

My Facebook Friends

Wellness Success