Sun, Skin & Vitamin D

The sun and skin cancer has been linked in our mind permanently.

We are told to watch for signs of melanoma in the form of ABCD:

• Asymmetry,
• Borders irregular,
• Color varied within the mole, and
• Diameter larger than a pencil eraser.

Less well publicized are warning signs for non-melanoma skin cancer:

• a waxy-looking lump,
• firm and red lump,
• sore that doesn’t heal, bleeds, or develops a crusty surface,
• a flat red area that is rough, dry, itchy, or scaly, or
• a growth thick like a scar that gets larger.

Notice that pain is absent from both lists.

The good news is that almost all forms of skin cancer that are treated early have favorable outcomes.

Risk Factors

Melanoma

Melanoma skin cancer has many risk factors. Yes, sunburns are one, especially the seasonal ones that happen early in life.

But melanomas often occur on areas that have not been exposed to the sun:

• the back or chest for men,
• and legs for women.

Therefore, other risks are heredity, especially for those born with a large number of moles, and multiple sun exposures wearing only UVB-blocking sunscreen, resulting in extreme exposure to UVA.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer probably comes from long-term sun exposure starting early in life that damages both skin cells and the repair gene, p53.

A great research project would be to see if homeopathic treatment of sunburn does more than relieve pain, but actually helps bring the cells back to normal function, resulting in less skin cancer.

Let’s Talk Prevention

At any age, prevent excess sun exposure by applying a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more after getting the proper amount of sun for Vitamin D production. Choose one that protects against both UVA and UVB, and is free of toxic ingredients.

Maintain protection by applying the sunscreen every four hours and after swimming.

And use enough of the sunscreen to cover your exposed skin – about a full ounce for an adult in a bathing suit.

Easy alternatives to using sunscreen include wearing tight-woven long clothing, wearing a broad-rimmed hat, and staying in the shade.

How do I know I have had enough sun for my Vitamin D needs?

Dr, Hollick says most of us only need a few minutes a day of sun exposure in summer for healthy Vitamin D levels.

• Determine the amount of time it takes your skin to pink at a particular time of day during a particular month.
• You get about 1,000 IU of Vitamin D for one-quarter of the length of that time, with leg and arm exposure.

Where do I get Vitamin D in food?

Fortified milk has been shown in tests not to measure up to the Vitamin D levels listed on the label, so it is an unreliable source.

Good old cod liver oil is the richest source, with 1,360 IU per tablespoon.

Servings of fish such as

• salmon,
• mackerel,
• sardines, and
• eel

come along next with a fraction of your daily needs, from 36% to 20%.

How do I check my Vitamin D Levels?

To find out if you have healthy Vitamin D levels, check with a blood test for 25-vitamin D, the intermediary form.

According to Dr. Holick, optimal levels are 30 to 50 ng/ml.

If you are supplementing Vitamin D without a test and want to avoid toxicity, do not take more than 2,000 IU of oral Vitamin D a day.

Remember that it is not possible to get toxic in Vitamin D by getting it from sun exposure, and you get the other benefits as well!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

“Naturopathic Physician Dr. Cheryl Kasdorf is a doctor who listens and has answers with a natural approach that works. She is known as the go-to person to get back your get-up-and-go when it is gone, gone, gone. Get your FREE gift “Dr. Kasdorf’s Health Secrets for Feeling & Looking Great” at drcherylkasdorf.com