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Sun Protection and Skin Support
UV
exposure is a major risk factor for the development of two
types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported
that there were 45,625 new cases of melanoma in the United
States in 2003. A total of 7,818 people died from the condition
in the same year, making melanoma the deadliest form of skin
cancer. (1) Severity and frequency of sunburns at any age
contribute to DNA damage in skin cells and ultimately melanoma
development (2).
In
2004, approximately 34 percent of adults reported experiencing
at least one sunburn in the previous year (1). This demonstrates
that even as adults with knowledge of the sun's damaging
effects, we might throw caution to the wind and overindulge
in the sun's rays now and again without adequate protection.
In fact, a recent study coauthored by William J. Keller,
Ph.D., NSP's Vice President of the Health Sciences and Educational
Services Department, documented Thai-
Go's mangosteen ingredient
to contain compounds with antioxidant actions (3). Compounds
in other key ingredients such as green
tea's epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG) and anthocyanins found in red and blue fruits
such as red raspberries and blueberries share similar actions
(4-7). When taken daily, Thai-Go provides a multitude of
health benefits.
Sunscreens can be used to help reduce the
damaging effects of the sun's UV radiation. Sunscreens usually
contain ingredients that absorb or reflect UV light. The
sun protection factor (SPF) is a measure of a sunscreen's
effectiveness against UVB radiation. A higher SPF number
indicates a higher level of protection. While this protection
is good for preventing damage to the skin, it also creates
a dilemma for vitamin D. A sunscreen with an SPF of just
8 can inhibit more than 95 percent of vitamin D synthesis
in the skin (8). Many products provide greater protection
than this.
When considering the best source of vitamin D,
the American Academy of Dermatology says, "Get vitamin
D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin
supplements. Don't seek the sun" (9). As mentioned above,
it can be difficult for some to meet their daily vitamin
D needs through the diet, even when supplementing with a
general multiple vitamin and mineral. This is especially
true now as several vitamin D experts from research institutes
and universities are finding that the Reference Daily Intake
(RDI) of 400 IU for vitamin D may be set far too low. They
are also finding that the current tolerable upper intake
level (TUIL) of 2,000 may be too conservative, based on strong
evidence for safety in amounts of 10,000 IU per day. Considering
the latest research on vitamin D, NSP now offers Vitamin
D3 with 2,000 IU per tablet.
The American
Academy of Dermatology says that sun exposure is the most
preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Among several tips,
they recommend using a sunscreen with at least an SPF of
15 and providing broadspectrum protection against ultraviolet
A (UVA) and UVB radiation. NSP Natria
Sunscreen SPF 30 provides UVA and UVB protection,
and contains soothing plant extracts and antioxidants. This
product should be applied to areas exposed to sun, and should
be reapplied after swimming, perspiring, towel drying or
every two hours. For additional antioxidant protection and
for general skin support, Carotenoid
Blend provides a potent combination of UV-protecting ingredients
including lycopene, phytofluene, phytoene, lutein, zeaxanthin
and more. SOD
with Gliadin is also available
for individuals with fair complexions who tend to sunburn
easily. And remember to supplement with Thai-
Go< and Vitamin
D3 this summer when
you are using other NSP products to protect and support your
skin.
Works Cited
1.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sunburn
prevalence among adults--United States, 1999, 2003, and 2004.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2007 Jun 1;56(21):524-8.
2. Han J, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ. Risk factors for skin cancers:
a nested casecontrol study within the Nurses' Health Study. Int
J Epidemiol. 2006 Dec;35(6):1514-21.
3. Chin YW, Jung HA, Chai H, Keller WJ, Kinghorn AD. Xanthones
with quinone reductase-inducing activity from the fruits of Garcinia
mangostana (Mangosteen). Phytochemistry. 2008 Feb;69(3):754-8.
4. Umeda D, Yano S, Yamada K, Tachibana H. Green tea polyphenol
epigallocatechin-3-gallate signaling pathway through 67-kDa laminin
receptor. J Biol Chem. 2008 Feb 8;283(6):3050-8.
5. Yusuf N, Irby C, Katiyar SK, Elmets CA. Photoprotective effects
of green tea polyphenols. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed.
2007 Feb;23(1):48-56. Review.
6. Afaq F, Syed DN, Malik A, Hadi N, Sarfaraz S, Kweon MH, Khan
N, Zaid MA, Mukhtar H. Delphinidin, an anthocyanidin in pigmented
fruits and vegetables, protects human HaCaT keratinocytes and
mouse skin against UVB-mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis.
J Invest Dermatol. 2007 Jan;127(1):222-32.
7. Zafra-Stone S, Yasmin T, Bagchi M, Chatterjee A, Vinson JA,
Bagchi D. Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health
and disease prevention. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun;51(6):675-83.
Review.
8. Holick MF. "Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and
prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular
disease". Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6 Suppl):1678S-88S.
9. American Academy of Dermatology. "Be Sun Smart".
Accessed March 24,
2008. www.aad.org/public/sun/smart.html
Created by Curtis Walcker April 1, 2008
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