Conscious Choice: Some Scream About Sunscreen

June 2000 | Health Conscious

Some Scream About Sunscreen

by Rebecca Ephraim, RD, CCN

When no less than the president of the American Academy of Dermatology says, "Sunscreens are an essential weapon in the fight against skin cancer," it’s a daunting undertaking to suggest alternative thinking. Yet, as I’ll explain, Michael and Mary Dan Eades, both MDs, have taken a careful, reasoned and research-referenced approach to sunbathing in their latest book, The Protein Power Lifeplan which they call a "blueprint for optimal health." A levelheaded approach to sunbathing without sunscreen is a cornerstone of their plan.

Of course, what’s at issue here is whether sunbathing without sunscreen enhances one’s health or undermines it. The overriding theme of any dermatologist would be that the sun is the main culprit behind squamous and basal cell skin cancers and the more lethal malignant melanomas, which form deep in the skin in the pigment-producing cells and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. The Eades argue that "the incidence of these cancers has risen dramatically in the last two or three decades — during which time... the use of potent UVB-blocking sunscreens has also skyrocketed."

The Downside of Sunscreens

The ultraviolet energy (UV) provided by sunlight is composed of different wavelengths: UVA, UVB, and UVC (UVC is not of concern to us as it gets absorbed in the atmosphere). Most of the UV rays are of the UVA type. However, sunscreens, which categorically block UVB rays, do not uniformly block all UVA rays. Unfortunately, the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), whether it be 8,15, or 45 measures only UVB protection. This is one of the real dangers in using sunscreens, according to the Eades, as they can offer a false sense of protection for those who feel they can bask for hours in the sun without worry. The UVA contributes to skin cancers as well and has been fingered as the culprit in contributing to the wrinkled, leathery look called photoaging.

The UVB light provides the chemical change in our bodies to produce vitamin D and there’s research showing that sunscreen halts vitamin D production in the body. One of the biggest benefits from sunshine is that those UVB rays activate a chemical change in our skin that manufactures vitamin D, the nutrient that ensures strong, healthy bones. Without vitamin D children’s bones fail to mineralize and deficiencies in adults can lead to osteomalacia in which bones demineralize and become weak, obviously a real concern for the elderly. Vitamin D supplementation is somewhat risky because in excess it can be toxic. However, about ten to twenty minutes of exposing your face and hands to the summer sun will stimulate the average daily need, roughly 400 IUs of vitamin D.

The doctors also question the oil bases used in sunscreens and theorize that unstable oils under the influence of the UV rays could form damaging and potentially cancer-causing compounds called lipid peroxides. These, they contend, could find their way into the skin cells. The scientific world hasn’t weighed in on this one. In addition, the Eades condemn the "bad oils" in the standard American diet...the partially hydrogenated and cheap polyunsaturated oils (such as corn) that have been subjected to high heat and chemicals in processing. They believe the increased consumption of these is a contributing factor to the high cancer rates in this country. While there are a growing number of studies to support the carcinogenic claims regarding these oils, there is scant, if any, scientific evidence on their causative effect of skin cancers.

The Eades also question the chemicals in sunscreen. This view is dismissed by Kenneth Klein, a New Jersey chemist whose livelihood is specializing in the formulations of sunscreens for more than a dozen companies. He says sunscreens are "very safe" and that consumers should not be misled by "unfounded fears." Indeed, if we’re judging by the scientific evidence of the dangers of sunscreen chemicals, there’s none to be found to indicate a problem. Although the Eades use PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) as their only example, Klein says PABA hasn’t been used to any significant extent in sunscreen in twenty-five years and that "PABA-free" labeling is simply a marketing gimmick.

Let Nature — with a Little Help from the Health Store

Doctors Michael and Mary Dan Eades are methodical and deliberate in their explanation of sunbathing. And the golden rule (so to speak!) that they emphatically deliver is "Never, never let your skin burn." They encourage a tan that’s arrived at by small but continual and increasing doses of sun exposure. "Gradually and safely building up a protective layer of natural sunscreening skin pigment designed by nature to fend off the penetration of the UVA rays may indeed be the best way to protect against the development of skin cancers. . . ."

Moreover, while they believe the antioxidants present in our skin and body tissues protect us from damage caused by the sun, they know that exposure to UV rays also depletes antioxidant levels. They claim that it is vital for us to replenish our levels of vitamin E, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10 along with essential fatty acids (the "good" fats) through dietary supplementation.

The Eades also draw correlations between sunbathing and its possible protective properties against breast, colon, and prostate cancers. These cancers, they say, "are lowest in the sun-drenched countries near the equator and increase as you move toward the polar regions of the globe." In other words, get some sun, get less cancer. Moreover, they cite animal research showing that sunlight, by stimulating the thyroid gland, can facilitate weight loss. Again, their prescription for sunbathing is a gradual and calculated approach to a tan. They advise that after you fulfill your sun quota you should move to shade or cover up.

Conversely, the advice from chemist Klein counters all tan talk. Klein, who has written chapters in graduate-level chemistry textbooks on sunscreens, dismisses any potential good from sunbathing, "A tan is the body’s response to being damaged. Do you know what you call people who sunbathe without sunscreen? Fools!"

You can find research that supports either claim, although most studies on sunscreen hold firm to the theory that sunscreen use does protect against skin cancers. In particular, several studies emphasize that regularly applying sunscreen to children significantly reduces their lifetime incidence of basal and squamous cell cancers. However, there are a few other studies such as one from Denmark that supports what the Eades are preaching.

Intuition and Science

Unfortunately, despite the Eades’ rosy scenario for controlled and managed sunbathing, I’d venture to say it’s unrealistic. There’s no getting around the fact that often we don’t monitor our time in the sun. On the contrary, we usually lose track of time because of the "sun fun" we’re having. In addition, many of us are weekend sun warriors who have been cooped up in offices and cut loose to frolic outdoors only on our days off.

I suggest to those who take an active and intelligent approach toward their health that we need to combine the best of what’s offered to us. Yes, use the results of modern-day science as a guide but let us not abandon the intelligence of what feels natural and intuitive. Certainly, for those who adhere to the so-called alternative lifestyles such as macrobiotics and natural hygiene, spending time outdoors (without sunscreen) has always been an essential and intuitive component of living as naturally and healthfully as possible. Of course, intuition is not scientific. But I’ve seen the alternative lifestyles work wonders.

Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Ms. Ephraim.

Recommend this page to a friend

Top Ten pages recommended to friends: