Recently, I was sitting on a plane and overheard my neighbors talking about sunburn, sunscreen, and of course the good old days. The younger one was saying his children get sunburned within 15 minutes of being in the sun and the older one stated that many years ago her children could be outside all day and not get burned. The whole conversation was summed up with, “What a shame that we destroyed the ozone layer”…but what if the destruction of the ozone layer was only half the story?

Anti-oxidants, especially vitamin C and vitamin E may be a missing part of the equation. One study found that those who took 2000mg of vitamin C and 1000 IU of Vitamin E orally had the ability to increase their daily exposure to UV radiation (harmful sunlight) before becoming sunburned. Thinking about the seemingly recent increase in sunburn, we may very well be a society that is not getting enough antioxidants to protect against the lack of ozone layer. All of this becomes more personal when realizing that sunburn causes increases in the risk of skin cancer and excessive skin wrinkling.

However, without UV radiation (sunlight), cholesterol cannot be turned into vitamin D, which is an important nutrition for protecting against dementia, heart problems and age related depression. So sunlight is an important part of an anti-aging protocol, but skin still has to be protected!

As with everything, the sooner we start to work on prevention the greater the benefits. Acting now to protect your skin can help guarantee beautiful skin that is free of excessive wrinkles. Unfortunately, many of us have been sun worshipers and need a “wrinkle redo”. A serum containing 5 percent vitamin C has been shown to decrease the depth of sun-induced wrinkles and cause skin to appear more youthful. As vitamin C breaks down quickly it is best to make your own single use serum and use it immediately. Below is a recipe:

1. Dissolve 1000 mg vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in 1 teaspoon distilled water in a small glass container. Make sure it is fully dissolved before proceeding to next step.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of glycerine (can be purchased in the beauty section of most health food stores) and mix.

3. Apply directly to skin. Store any leftovers in a dark glass container (i.e. a clean tincture jar) in a cool place such as the refrigerator.

Study reference: “Protective effect against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-α-tocopherol (vitamin E).” Bernadette Eberlein-König MD, Marianne Placzek MD and Bernhard Przybilla MD. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Volume 38, Issue 1, January 1998, Pages 45-48

As the mother of a fair-skinned child who loves to go to the beach, I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on the topic of sun protection for children. I personally am not comfortable slathering my son with most sunscreens, since the skin absorbs what is put on it and most sunscreens (even those designed for children) contain questionable ingredients. Here are a few tips that I have found to be helpful:

• The single most important factor regarding sun exposure for long-term skin health is to prevent the incidence of sunburn, so make this a priority.
• Regular, moderate sun exposure (around 15 minutes for most children) is important for producing Vitamin D, which is protective to the skin and important for overall health. For this reason, you will occasionally see a naked toddler streaking through my backyard in the morning while I’m working on the computer on the patio.
• When playing outdoors, try to have your child play in an area where there is shade available from trees, playground structures, or a beach umbrella rather than in direct sunlight.
• If possible, try to plan beach and pool trips or other sunny outings outside of peak hours of sun (12 to 2 p.m. tend to be the sunniest times in most areas).
• When your child has to be in direct sunlight, cover sunburn-prone areas with loose-fitting cotton clothing. When they’re swimming, use a rash guard or sun shirt to cover their trunk.  Hats are also great (especially for younger children who don’t have much hair yet) and I feel lucky that my son thinks hats are an exciting accessory to wear—the bigger the brim the better!
• Occasionally you will need to use sunscreen when the above measures aren’t enough, so look for a natural sunscreen containing zinc oxide as its active ingredient. Conveniently, zinc oxide is also the active ingredient in most diaper rash creams! In my beach bag I actually keep a tube of diaper rash cream which I slather on my son’s face and shoulders when we’re on a longer beach trip. Other parents might think you’ve confused tubes of cream, but when you explain to them that zinc oxide is the same skin protecting ingredient in both sunscreen and diaper cream they are usually appreciative to know they can pack fewer items in the diaper bag!
• Last but certainly not least, it’s important for parents to know that they can protect their child from the inside out by feeding them a diet rich in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Phytonutrients (plant nutrients) have been found to protect skin from sun damage and also keep eye tissues safe from UV damage. Green vegetables, orange vegetables such as yams or carrots, and berries tend to be the richest in these types of phytonutrients. If your child has an aversion to these foods or is going through a phase when they are more picky (don’t worry, they usually grow out of it if you keep offering them a variety of foods and don’t make a big deal of it), try adding a whole foods supplement such as PureNutrition to their food or drink. It works well mixed into foods such as oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies. If they are put off by the green color, try using PureNutrition Red

For many people, July is the most sun-filled month of the year. Most of us know to protect our skin from the sun by limiting amount of time in direct sunlight, covering up, and using natural sunscreens if needed. However, many of us are not aware that we can protect our skin from the inside out by including certain phytonutrients (plant nutrients) in our diets! Here are a few highlights of sun-protecting phytonutrients that can be found in our PureNutrition Red formula:

• Mangosteen and Acai contain phytonutrients which have been found to protect against aging of the skin caused by sun exposure.
• Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, has been found to protect DNA from UV-light induced damage. It was also found to reduce the overall level of oxidative stress caused by UV-light exposure in skin cells.
• Green tea extract helps to protect skin by delaying the sunburn response and preventing DNA damage in overexposed skin.
• Hibiscus has been found to exert a protective effect against the initial formation and proliferation of skin cancer cells.
• Resveratrol (also found in red wine) is a potent anti-cancer phytonutrient that induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in skin cancer cells.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new product: Ultimate DHA Eye! This formula contains concentrated DHA from deep-sea fish oil as well as Lutein and Zeaxanthin, two phytonutrients that are vital to eye health. Here are a few more facts on Lutein and Zeaxanthin:

• They both play an important role in eye health by filtering out UV rays that can damage eye tissue. In fact, their UV filtering ability is so great that increased intake of these nutrients has been found to help prevent sun damage to skin.
• They protect the retina from damage and help to preserve function despite age.
• Regular intake of these two nutrients is associated with decreased risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
• Supplementation with Lutein and Zeaxanthin has been found to improve night vision.
• The human body cannot produce Lutein and Zeaxanthin, so intake has to be through food or supplements.
• The average intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin is 2 mg per day, but most studies find that at least 6 mg per day is needed to reduce the risk of cataracts. Eating six servings a day of brightly colored vegetables and leafy greens is enough to supply this amount.
• Spinach, kale, and collard greens are particularly rich sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

Anti-aging is a buzz word in holistic communities. How do we turn another calendar year older and have our bodies act, feel—and most importantly—look like we are in our 20’s or 30’s? But do we really want to re-live our 20’s and 30’s or are we just trying to avoid the negative images of aging?

We never want to end up with:

• Wrinkles
• Low energy
• Frailness
• A chronic disease (i.e. heart disease or diabetes)
• Memory problems such as dementia or Alzheimer’s

There are many ways to decrease the risks negative symptoms of aging and one of them happens to be by using Coenzyme Q10. The main function of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is as an antioxidant in making energy (specifically in the form of ATP, the energy molecule) in the body. If we imagine that ATP is gasoline that the body makes for energy, the role of CoQ10 will become clear. To make gasoline with CoQ10 our body spends 2 gallons of gas to produce 38 gallons. Without CoQ10 our body spends the same 2 gallons of gas but only makes 8 gallons. The added energy provided by CoQ10 allows each individual cell to do their job better, but it also helps energize the body as a whole. A little extra energy goes a long way when we are trying to accomplish a multitude of things or just trying to survive the day.

Much of the CoQ10 is made and used by the muscles. It helps keep them alive and working. When our muscles have energy they can exercise more effectively and stay stronger as we age. Many studies have noted that those who maintain lean muscle mass as they age resist the negative side effects of aging particularly frailty, falling, and poorly working heart muscles.

As an antioxidant CoQ10 is a great tool to protect against skin damage and correct damage if it has already occurred. Skin damage is an important risk factor in increased wrinkles. Oral use of CoQ10 has the benefit of being available to your skin on an as-needed basis. Topical CoQ10 products must be reapplied several times a day, like sunscreen. Those who eat an antioxidant-rich diet and take antioxidant supplements have less damage seen on their skin even if sun exposure is more than optimal.

Last but certainly not least, CoQ10 protects against neurological damage caused by oxidative stress (what antioxidants protect against) including where the energy of the cells has been produced without CoQ10. Following our gasoline example above, this means that brain cells had to live too long on 8 gallons of gas instead of 38 gallons. Can you imagine running on low gas for years? Maybe it’s time to be able to fill up the tank again!

In last week’s blog, we announced that Marilyn Farms now carries CoQ10 in two different dosages. This week, I thought it would be important to discuss how the benefits of each dosage. Please note that this is not an indication for these specific products, but for CoQ10 in general as a compound.

The benefits of 30 mg of CoQ10 daily:

• Recommended by some scientists as a supplement for anyone over 40 years old, since CoQ10 production in the body declines as we age.
• Especially recommended for people on low-dose statin therapy, or those on blood pressure medications such as Atenolol.

The benefits of 100 mg of CoQ10 daily:

• Recommended for those with neurological issues, eye issues, or premature wrinkling of skin.
• Especially recommended for people on high-dose statin therapy.
• May be beneficial for those with heart disease.
• Suggested for anyone with a history of cancer.

There is currently no contraindication for CoQ10 and it has been shown to be beneficial in doses all the way up to 1200 mg per day for people with severe neurological issues such as Parkinson’s disease.

NOTE: As with any nutritional supplement, please consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to making it a part of your routine—especially if you are taking prescription medications. This blog is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

It’s July, which in this hemisphere means it’s a great time to show some skin!  Here are five foods to include in your diet to help your skin glow:

1. Eggs, which supply skin-strengthening protein in the whites and a plethora of skin-friendly nutrients in the yolk.  Egg yolks contain biotin, a B vitamin that helps keep skin plump, and are a rich source of vitamin A, which helps your skin to produce fresh, new cells.

2. Oysters, which are a rich source of zinc.  This mineral makes skin stronger, prevents scarring, and helps to balance hormones involved in breakouts.  Oysters (along with all seafood) also contain omega 3 fats, which fight inflammation and help skin maintain an even appearance. 

3. Red bell pepper, which supplies vitamin C.  Vitamin C is necessary for formation of collagen – a protein that is found in all connective tissue including skin and blood vessels (as well as injected into the lips of movie stars).  Adequate intake of vitamin C encourages the body to produce collagen, which helps the skin to repair and prevents the formation of wrinkles.

4. Brazil nuts, which are an excellent source of selenium.  This mineral is the active ingredient in many dandruff shampoos.  When eaten in foods, it may help to improve the quality of skin, hair, and nails.

5. Green tea, which is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenols.  These nutrients protect the skin from the effects of free radicals and may even help to lighten and reduce the appearance of age spots and sun damage.

Earlier this week I was talking with a friend whose skin scars easily about the possibility that she needed more zinc in her diet.  Zinc is absolutely necessary for “knitting together” the proteins involved in healing injuries to the skin, so low levels of zinc would make it more likely for skin to scar. 

Here are a few other signs that a person may need to boost zinc intake:
• Skin that is unusually prone to sunburn (after taking into account fairness of skin)
• Skin that takes an abnormally long time to heal from everyday cuts and scrapes
• Peeling or bleeding of the skin around the fingernails (and also white spots on the fingernails that are not related to trauma)
• Rough skin
• Lowered sense of taste or smell
• Lack of appetite
• Lowered desire for protein foods
• Lowered immunity or feeling like you’re “catching every bug that comes along”
• Frequent yeast infections

Most people can obtain adequate levels of zinc by eating several servings daily of protein-rich foods, which are usually a natural source of zinc.  However, some people may be at risk for lower zinc levels.  A few things that can cause zinc levels to be low include:
• Vegetarian or low-protein diet
• Use of medications that lower zinc including birth control pills, diuretics, and gout medications
• Frequent exposure to copper, such as those who work with copper pipe or copper wire in the workplace

If you are unable to obtain adequate zinc from your diet and need to supplement, look for a zinc supplement that contains zinc that is attached to amino acids – this is a highly absorbable type of supplemental zinc.  To find out more about the many roles zinc plays in health as well as amounts obtained from various foods, visit the Linus Pauling Micronutrient Center’s entry on zinc. 

NOTE: Please consult with your doctor before taking any nutritional supplements.  This blog is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.