![\"\"](\"https:\/\/heartmountainchiropractic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/07\/Capture3.png\")
It\u2019s that time of the years again, hot and sunny weather has arrived in the Midwest, at least for a little while.\u00a0 During your participation in summer outdoor activities it may behoove you to be armed with a little bit more critical information when reaching for the sunscreen.<\/p>\n
While there are certainly some instances where sunscreen may be prudent, these products are widely overused and contribute to widespread Vitamin D deficiency.\u00a0 It is a commonly held natural health expert\u2019s opinion that if you follow sensible sun exposure guidelines to prevent burning, these products are rarely needed.\u00a0 One option is to get out of the sun or wear clothing the moment your skin starts to turn light pink.<\/p>\n
In an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) pilot study, four commonly used active ingredients in sunscreen are absorbed into your blood at levels that could potentially pose health risks.\u00a0 The four ingredients evaluated include: avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene and ecamsule.2,3,4,5<\/small><\/sup><\/p>\n 24 participants were asked to apply 2 mg of sunscreen per square centimeter over 75% of their body, using either 1 or 2 sprays, a lotion or a cream.\u00a0 This amount equates to the maximum recommended dose by most makers of sunscreen.<\/p>\n A total of 30 blood samples were collected from each participant over seven days of application.\u00a0 According to the authors: \u201cSystemic concentrations greater than 0.5 ng\/mL were reached for all 4 products after 4 applications on day 1.\u00a0 The most common adverse event was rash, which developed in 1 participant with each sunscreen.\u00a0 In this preliminary study involving healthy volunteers, application of 4 commercially available sunscreens under maximal use condition results in plasma concentration that exceeded the threshold established by the FDA for potentially waiving some nonclinical toxicology studies for sunscreens.\u00a0 FDA has provided guidance that sunscreen active ingredients with systemic absorption greater that 0.5 ng\/mL or with safety concerns should undergo nonclinical toxicology assessment including systemic carcinogenicity and additional developmental and reproductive studies.6,7<\/small><\/sup><\/p>\n In light of the evidence laid out above it is rather shocking that the FDA continues to guide citizens to use SUNSCREEN.8 This comes on the heels of the information showing that all four chemical were found to enter the bloodstream at levels above the presumed \u201csafe\u201d level after a single day of application, and remained at high levels in the system for at least 24 hours after the last use.\u00a0 Think of the potential consequences for those using these products every day of the year.<\/p>\n Research by the U.S. CDC (Center for Disease Control) published in 2008 found that 96.8% of the 2500 urine samples collected as part of the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey had detectable levels of oxybenzone, which is a testament to just how much sunscreen people are using.\u00a0 This data is nearly 15 years old at the time of this writing, and is likely much worse now.9<\/small><\/sup><\/p>\n When you select a sunscreen, remember there really are only 2 known safe sunscreen ingredients\u2014zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and they must not be nano-sized.10<\/small><\/sup><\/p>\n Your best bet is a lotion or cream with zinc oxide, as it is stable in sunlight and provides the best protection from the UVA rays.\u00a0 Your next best option is titanium dioxide.\u00a0 Just make sure the product does not contain nano-sized particles and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.11<\/small><\/sup><\/p>\n Remember that sensible sun exposure is ideal on a regular daily basis.\u00a0 Here are five sensible tips for enjoying the sunshine safely:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/sup>References<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n 2,6,7,8.\u00a0 JAMA May 6, 2019 [Epub ahead of print] <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s that time of the years again, hot and sunny weather has arrived in the Midwest, at least for a little while.\u00a0 During your participation in summer outdoor activities it may behoove you to be armed with a little bit more critical information when reaching for the sunscreen. While there are certainly some instances where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Choose a Safer Sunscreen<\/u><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n3. CNN Health May 6, 2019
\n4. NBC News May 6, 2019
\n5. Medscape May 6, 2019
\n9. Environmental Health Perspectives 2008 Jul; 116(7): 893\u2013897
\n10. EWG.org Sunscreen Guide
\n11. EWG.org The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreens<\/p>\n