Something like 25% of people in Australia are Vitamin D deficient. Coming into another hot steamy summer it seems somehow impossible.. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin required by the body for the absorption of calcium, bone development, immune functioning, and alleviation of inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a weakened immune system, increased cancer risk…the list goes on.
Calcium is necessary for the growth and maintenance of strong teeth and bones, nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and secretion of certain hormones and enzymes. A deficiency in calcium can lead to numbness, cramps, convulsions, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abnormal heart rhythms. Conversely, excess calcium (particularly from supplements) can lead to kidney stones, calcification of soft tissue, and increased risk of vascular diseases like stroke and heart attack. Source: healthaliciousness.com
What are we doing about appropriate sun exposure? What are we telling people about Calcium, osteoporosis and vitamin D?
One thing I know is that when I take my daughter to her extremely shady rainforest-setting kindergarten, there is a requirement for all the children to wear hats and a bucket of sunscreen at the front door. Seems a little over the top. They play outside for maybe an hour, in the shade. Then go inside.
So we are expected to coat our kids in sunscreen, even when playing in the shade. Hardly surprising then the rise in Vitamin D deficiency, Rickets and osteoporosis. Vitamin D is also linked with mental health – so what exactly are we teaching our kids? How are we supporting their health with this practice?
The problem is then we compound the issue without even knowing it – we supplement with Calcium that is sourced from ground animal bones (which is known to cause osteoporosis). There are plenty of great ways to encorporate calcium into your diet – bioavailable calcium…that you can actually use. Dairy isn’t one. Boney (Calcium) and oily fish (Vit D) are great – salmon, sardines. If you’re like me and not really a fish person, I find cod liver oil pretty tolerable in a smoothie… Calcium is also found in almonds and leafy greens (more things to sneak into that smoothie!).
Back to this anti-sun obsession for a moment – many sunscreens are full of chemicals that absorb into your skin. Chemicals that are known to umm…be carcinogenic. So whilst you may limit your skin damage there’s not much to reassure you for the rest of your body as you upload these toxins.
Interestingly, did you know avocado oil is approx SPF 15. Carrot seed oil and raspberry seed oil are closer to SPF 40. The natural oils on our skin are there to protect us, so it makes sense that other oils can have similar (or enhanced) effects.
So what’s my point? Like anything I think we just need to regain a little perspective. Balance please. Look for natural, healthy options to source our vitamins and minerals. It’s not rocket science but somehow we seem to think we can solve everything with a bottle off the shelf in the supermarket. First the sunscreen, then the vitamin D tablets, calcium tablets…umm, how about just a little bit of sensible sun?
There is actually new research that is suggesting sun exposure PROTECTS from cancer – take a moment to absorb that one! It might increase your risk of wrinkles, without a doubt, but better to get a few wrinkles and resist the cancer perhaps? It’s like that saying about getting to the end of life not looking perfect and wrinkle-free, but rather like you’ve had an amazing ride… I’m totally down with that philosophy.
Sensible sun this summer – your body (and mind!) will thank you.
PS Some safer sunscreens for those with fair skin:
Eco All Natural Sunscreen – Baby SPF 30+ (or other Eco sunscreens)
Little Innoscents Natural Sun Lotion SPF30+
Moo Goo SPF 40 Natural Sunscreen
Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen – SPF 30+
UV Natural Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+
Wotnot SPF 30 Sunscreen
Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15
….so many options!