A lot of people don’t get enough vitamin D, which our skin manufactures in the presence of sunlight. Many of us are missing in this, one of the most important nutrients. The way to get it is by exposing our skin to the sun (bare skin – no sun screen). But beware of too much harmful radiation from the sun and do not get burned.
Best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt
And then no chemicals are absorbed through the skin either. The best defenses against getting too much harmful UV radiation are protective clothes, shade and timing.
Do these before applying sunscreen
EWG (Environmental Working Group) put together the following checklist what to do BEFORE applying sunscreen:
Don’t get burned. Red, sore, blistered (then peeling) skin is a clear sign you’ve gotten far too much sun. Sunburn increases skin cancer risk – keep your guard up!
Wear clothes. Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays – and don’t coat your skin with goop. A long-sleeved surf shirt is a good start.
Find shade – or make it. Picnic under a tree, read beneath an umbrella, take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade – they lack tanning pigments (melanin) to protect their skin.
Plan around the sun. If your schedule is flexible, go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. UV radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.
Sunglasses are essential. Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation, a cause of cataracts.
Be smart
Enjoy the outdoors and get your vitamin D, but just be smart about your exposure to the rays of the sun!
By Åsa Paul-Johansson
On the Lime – Raw Foods
Fort Lauderdale area, Florida
