safe Your Skin from Summer Sun with the Right Supplements

Summer approaches...Plan Ahead

Ultraviolet (Uv) rays on unprotected skin can cause first and second degree burns to the skin, generally referred to as sunburn. Long-term damage from overexposure can consist of premature aging and even skin cancer. The use of commercially available sunscreens with an Spf of 15 or higher is sufficient protection. However, a variety of natural remedies may be even more helpful than chemical-laden oils.

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Protective nutritional supplements

Research has identified the benefits of antioxidants to prevent or minimize injury caused by Uv radiation. Damage begins when Uv radiation stimulates the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidases within the skin. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C neutralize these particles and curtail cellular damage. These coarse nutrients are also sufficient for sunburn prevention.

In a study at the University of Munich, 10 subjects were given Vitamin C (2000 mg) and Vitamin E (1000 Iu) daily or a placebo. The sunburn reaction before and after 8 days of supplement use was carefully by measuring the minimal erythema (redness) dose, or Med. This is the number of Uv radiation significant to originate a uniform pink color on exposed skin.

The results showed that subjects taking the vitamins required 20% more Uv radiation to feel the same level of reaction as compared to those taking a placebo(1) . A similar result came from a separate study at the University of Frankfurt, concluding that vitamin C and vitamin E act synergistically to suppress a sunburn reaction.(2)

Another supplement, beta-carotene, has been studied for effects as a sun protectant. Data published from study at the University of Arizona suggests that supplementation with natural carotenoids 90 mg daily for 24 weeks conveys modest safety from both Uva- and Uvb-induced erythema.(3)

Taking these three supplements daily for a week before a going on a beach vacation, or taking them throughout the summer, could be a wonderful, safe way to safe yourself from sunburn.

Healing Topical Therapies

Natural topical therapies have been shown to be helpful for sunburn. A study from the University of Western Ontario showed that application of 5% Vitamin E cream immediately after a sunburn significantly decreased necrosis of the skin's keratinocytes, generally referred to as "peeling." This inevitable result was noted even when the application was delayed up to 8 hours after exposure.(4) This is very good news for those that seek in the evening that their over-exposure occurred earlier in the day.

A variety of herbs been reported to have soothing effects. Applying the oil from sea buckthorn (hippophae rhamnoides) 3 to 4 times per day has been beneficial as both a natural a sunscreen or as a sunburn therapy. Sea buckthorn oil is a natural stock that contains vitamin C, malic acid, flavaniods, carotenoids, and significant fatty acids. These constituents safe cells from lipid peroxidation injury.(5) Interestingly, the oil consolidate has been used to treat radiation burns caused by radiation therapy and on bedsores. Sea buckthorn increased the rate of new skin formation and compel the formation of granulation tissue in wounds.(6) Other herbs beneficial for the topical treatment of sunburn consist of 5-10% jojoba extract,(7) jujube oil,(8) and a semi-solid preparing of 20-30% dried poplar buds.

Beware of Herbal Photosensitizers

Consumers need to be aware of possible complications, such as photosensitivity, connected with both natural and pharmaceutical products from only moderate sun exposure. St. Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) can cause photosensitization when taken orally at 1800 mg/day for 15 days (9) and can cause phototoxicity at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day, albeit that is a rather large dose.(10) Photosensitization has been observed from both topical and large consumption of herbs that originate from plants that belong to the Apiaceae family.(11) The extensive list of coarse spices and vegetables from that plant family includes parsley, wild carrot, parsnip, anise, coriander, fennel, lovage, bishop's weed, angelica root, pimpinella root, guta kola and dong quai. Interestingly, eating coarse figs (Ficus carica) may also cause photodematitis in sun-sensitive persons.(12) Patients should be reminded that the use of inevitable medications are also known to cause photosensitivity, such as sulfa and tetracycline.

A Final Note

Lack of exposure to sun can cause significant condition problems too. Sunshine on the skin converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre-vitamin D, which is supplementary processed by the kidneys into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the active form of the vitamin. A New England Journal of treatment narrative reports that almost one-third of men and half of women over the age of 60 are deficient in vitamin D, the nutrient significant to maintaining condition bones.(13) Spending 20 to 30 minutes in full sunlight, without sunscreen, three times a week, will allow the body to yield the much-needed vitamin D.

A very new study published in the American Journal of Clinical nutrition states that vitamin D is not toxic at intakes much higher than previously carefully unsafe. "This risk appraisal was needed to show that newer evidence supports the conclusion that vitamin D is much safer then previously thought, particularly because of all the emergence research that shows advantage for vitamin D at higher levels than consumers were traditionally taking," lead author John Hathcock told NutraIngredients.com. In fact, the Council for Responsible nutrition scientists state that this could be raised to 10,000 Iu (250 micrograms per day). (14)

Using coarse sense in the sun moderate exposure and an awareness of potentially phototoxic herbal remedies will go along way to promote good condition for your skin and make summer fun a delightful feel instead of an eventful one.

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(1) Eberlein-Konig B, Placzek M, Pryzbilla. Protective result against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocoperhol (vitamin E). J Am Acad. Dermatol. 1998 Jan;38(1):45-8.

(2) Fuchs J, Kern H. Modulation of Uv-light-induced shin inflammation by d-alpha-tocoperhol and L-ascorbic acid: a clinical study using solar simulated radiation. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998 Dec:25(9):1006-12.

(3) Lee J; Jiang S; Levine N; Watson Rr. Carotenoid supplementation reduces erythema in human skin after simulated solar radiation exposure. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 2000 Feb;223(2):170-4.

(4) Trevithick, Jr; et.al. Allowance of sunburn damage to skin by topical application to vitamin E acetate following exposure to ultraviolet B radiation: result of delaying application or of reducing attentiveness of Vitamin E acetate applied. Scanning Microsc 1993 Dec;7(4):1269-81.

(5) Wang Y, Lu y, Liu X, et. Al. The protective result of Hippophae rhamnoides L. On hyperlipidemic serum cultured smooth muscle cells in vitro [article in Chinese]. Chung Kuo chung Yao Tsa chih 1992; 17(10): 601, 624-26, inside back cover.

(6) Gruenwald J, et al. Pdr for Herbal Medicines. 1st Edition. Montvale, Nj: medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

(7) Leung Ay, sustain S. Encyclopedia of coarse Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd Edition. New York, Ny: Jon Wiley & Sons, 1996.

(8) Ibid.

(9) Upton R, ed. St. John's Wort, Hypercium perforatum: quality control, analytical and therapeutic monograph. Santa Cruz, Ca: American herbal Pharmacopoeia; 1997;1-32.

(10) Gulick Rm, McAuliffe V, Holden-wiltse J, et al. Phase I studies of hypericin, the active aggregate in St. John's Wort, as an antiretroviral agent in Hiv-infected adults. Aids Clinical Trials Group Protocols 150 and 258. Ann Int Med 1999;130(6): 510-4.

(11) Blumenthal M, et al. The perfect German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, Ma: American Botanical Council, 1998.

(12) Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed Sandy, Or: Eclectic medical Publications, 1998.

(13)Utiger, Rd. Nejm, 1998: Vol.338(12): 828-Editorial.

(14) J.N. Hathcock, A. Shao, R. Vieth, R. Heaney. Risk appraisal for vitamin D" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 2007, Volume85, Pages 6-18.

safe Your Skin from Summer Sun with the Right Supplements

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