THE SCIENCE OF SUN EXPOSURE

The Body's Natural Defense Against the Sun

As Featured In: Les Nouvelles Esthetiques and Spa, May 2012

By Anne C. Willis, LE, CEO 

The body's response to the sun continues to be at the forefront of medical research and studies. The one thing we all know for sure is we need the sun. Allowing for proper absorption without allowing oxidative damage is vital for vitamin D synthesis.

Follow the instructions to strive to cut your sun exposure to none, and it could spell disaster for your health. By following the "no safe level of sun exposure" rule, you'll put yourself at higher risk for deadly cancers, heart disease and more.

It's time to set the record straight. Real science supports more, not less, sun exposure. If you know how to safely take advantage of the sun, you'll live a happier, longer life for it. You'll see how to enjoy the warm, mood-lifting golden globe once again.

Deficiency of Vitamin D

When the sun's rays strike your skin, an amazing hormonal reaction begins. Your skin absorbs the light and uses it to make vitamin D3. Think of it as the human version of photosynthesis.

Next your liver and kidneys metabolize the vitamin D3 into an active hormone called 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. It's quite a mouthful, but this substance plays an important role in almost every system of your body.

For example:

a)  Vitamin D helps build healthy bones. Vitamin D deficiencies contribute to osteoporosis, other bone-weakening conditions, and unhealthy teeth.

b)  Vitamin D helps keep the immune system tuned. Vitamin D deficiencies promote a number of painful autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

c)  Vitamin D helps keep your circulatory system healthy. People with heart disease commonly have a vitamin D deficiency.

d)  Vitamin D helps keep cells healthy. There is a link between higher rates of several deadly cancers and vitamin D deficiency. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D available. Because of the dire warning about the sun, many doctors recommend you avoid sunlight. This well-meant advice about sun-avoidance is creating an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency.

Twenty percent of children and adults up to age 50 don't get enough vitamin D every day. After fifty, deficiencies affect as much as 95% of the population.

Embracing the Golden Globe

Now that we realize we need the sun, how can we access its health benefits without accumulating long-term damage that can lead to skin cancer? Is it possible that our response to sun is not due to the sun being harmful, but perhaps a deficiency that lies within us? Functional medical practitioners and reputable medical institutions such as John Hopkins began studying this theory in 2007.

Clinical studies began focusing on nutrition, antioxidant systems, and non-confinement of the sun's energy within the living space of the skin. The first aspect of these studies revealed that when humans with Vitamin B deficiencies were exposed to the sun, there was an increase in inflammation. The inflammation ignited a free radical response that generated cellular damage that could lead to skin cancer.

The next aspect of the study was to evaluate antioxidant systems. They found that antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E were only capable of neutralizing free radicals and yet did not have the ability to recycle free radical waste products. In addition, the damage to the antioxidants during the neutralization phase converted them into super powerful free radicals.

The third aspect of the study was to evaluate the affects of confinement of the sun's energy; the way sun blocks/sun screens do, on cells structure and integrity. 

The result of these studies established the following:

• Increase in Vitamin B, which is responsible for reduction of inflammation and strengthening of the integrity of blood vessels and the capillary bed, reduced the inflammatory response to the sun.
• The effects of triggering cells to produce naturally occurring protective antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and the enzymes involved in glutathione synthesis and metabolism, were not only more efficient at neutralizing free radicals, but had the capability to recycle free radical waste and did not convert to free radicals after neutralization.
• By diffusing the energy of the sun instead of confining it, proved less destructive and allowed the body to process vitamin D.

Further, scientist at John Hopkins reported we could achieve a healthy relationship with the sun with the use of botanicals, not man made synthetic ingredients. Their study demonstrated that the protective chemical agent in broccoli sprout extracts showed that the extract worked inside the cells by boosting the production of a network of protective enzymes that defend cells against many aspects of UV damage. These studies confirm that by boosting nutrition and using common sense during exposure to the sun, our future for sun care is bright!

Let the Evidence Shine... Boost Your Vitamin D!

Here are the rules for safe sun exposure in five basic steps.

1)  Depending on your pigmentation, go out in the sun for at least 10 to 20 minutes, two or three times a week. If you are fair-skinned, your body can make enough vitamin D in just minutes. If you have darker skin or a deep tan, it will take longer for you to get the vitamin D you need.

2)  Expose as much of your skin as possible. A swimsuit is perfect. And go without sunglasses.

3)  Do not allow your skin to burn. This is very important. Sunburn will damage your skin, can contribute to all three types of skin cancer and cause aging changes in your skin. You want to get your vitamin D safely... that means getting out of the sun or putting on protective clothing before you burn.

4)  Increase nutritional levels, especially Vitamin B.

5)  Apply pure botanicals that boost the production of the network of protective enzymes that defend cells.

It is easy to stay attached to the old mindset that has convinced us that we should fear the golden globe. Even physicians have a difficult time adopting this newfound research in fear they will be putting patients at higher risk. It will take a few decades to know the long term affects of this "common sense" approach to sun care.  One thing we know for sure is that the last thirty years of sun protection is not serving us. My bet is on the future and what nature provides. So go and enjoy the sun, avoid burning, and eat lots of broccoli.

Anne C. Willis, LE, CEO, is the founder of De La Terre Skincare^®, a worldwide leader in holistic and functional skin therapies. Ms. Willis has been published in multiple international holistic and beauty publications. One of the industry's most outstanding innovators in the world of functional skin care, Ms. Willis lectures nationally regarding holistic skin therapies, collaborative care for medical institutions, and skin reactions incurred by patients receiving combined chemotherapy. She is the director of Oncology Skin Therapeutics^TM bringing over 30 years of experience and knowledge to a new generation of skin therapist.

Body Synergy - Hendersonville, NC

We’d like to extend congratulations to Body Synergy in Hendersonville, NC on their beautiful new location! Anne C. Willis first connected with owner, Amber Phillips, in 2005 and has since enjoyed sharing in her passion for holistic skin care. “Through my own personal journey towards health and wellness, I am inspired to share what I have learned with my clients.” says Amber, “At the heart of my work I encourage people to reconnect with themselves, to establish healthy patterns in their lives and, of course, to care for their skin with a daily holistic skin care ritual.”

The all-encompassing wellness studio offers pilates and yoga alongside holistic skin therapies which features De La Terre Skincare. We are blessed to work with the extended Body Synergy family which includes receptionist, Katie Toumazou. Miss Toumazou also works as a doula and nanny, and is currently attending school to become a Certified Holistic Transformational Healing Practitioner.

The heart-warming testimonials from Body Synergy's clients are a wonderful reminder of the skin's amazing healing capabilities when nourished with the pure botanicals and nutrients found in De La Terre Skincare, along with the guided talent of these two knowledgeable practitioners.

For more information,

visit www.bodysynergyonline.com or call (828) 698-5225