Is Sunscreen Killing Us??

Is Sunscreen helpfull or harmfull?? We are told that we need to wear it to stop skin cancer but does it work?

In sun-drenched regions the skin protection message has been strongly delivered for years: overexposure equals skin cancer. Despite the warnings to cover up the Skin Cancer Foundation warns that more than 600,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. and skin cancer is responsible for 8,500 deaths annually. Paradoxically, suncreens themselves have been identified as a contributing factor in this dilemma, with new products like UV Natural promoting themselves as a safe alternative to other creams on the market which may be doing more harm than good in the ongoing battle against the sun’s harmful rays. In 2007 the Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed 785 sunscreens and its findings suggest that some problems may arise are not due to the avoidance of sunscreen, but the very use of it. The results showed that an alarming 84 per cent provided inadequate protection from the sun or contained ingredients that raised safety concerns. The harmful chemicals identified include allergy-creating PABA, benzophenone-3, homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) and 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4- MBC). These chemical provide excellent sun protection, however experts have indicated that OMC, found in most sunscreen brands, was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses.

It does seem, that toxic chemicals in commercial sunscreen are not the only cancer risk associated with the “slip, slop, slap” message of sun protection. In Australia reports indicate that there has been a significant increase in Vitamin D deficiencies among the population attributed to lack of direct sunlight. Wearing sunscreen not only blocks out harmful UV rays but also Vitamin D which is essential for calcium absorption and bone density. Further, scientists believe that there is a connection between breast, colon and prostate cancer and a lack of Vitamin D. So whilst it is important to avoid overexposure to sun and reduce the amount of chemicals we slather on our skin, we also need to be aware that a little sunshine here and there is vital to our ongoing health and wellbeing.

Welcome!!!

Well I’ve finally done it! I’ve gone and set up my blog.  Well, this blog isn’t actually mine, it’s yours.

Without you, there would be no need for this.  I can talk to myself all day and I often do, but due to the amount of questions I’ve been asked, the demand from you all for more information and insight, I’ve decided to write it all down.

We’ll cover all aspects of Health and Wellness in this blog, from diet and nutrition, to exercise and stress.  At least twice a week I’ll have new information for you, so make sure that you check back often.  The primary reason for all of this is to cover what it takes to live a healthy “lifestyle” for each and every one of you.  All of our lifestyles are different, so there is not going to be just one way to achieve this.  It’s up to you to take what you want, disregard the rest and then try and make a change for the better, for yourself and your loved ones.

This is going to be a 2 way process, you ask me the questions and then I’ll answer them to the best of my knowledge.  But it’s not just me; this blog will feature many guest writers, each one an expert in their own field.  By expert I don’t necessarily mean a PhD student, Medical Doctor or any person who has spent a life dedicated to study of their respective fields.  Of course well have these people contribute, I know some amazing people who fit these very categorizes, but I also believe that sometimes it’s best to throw the previously mentioned peoples advice to the wind, or at least take it in a certain context.

I could have a guest post by a PhD in Sports and Recreation to tell us how to use our free time to play more and worry less, and I’m sure it would be highly informative and scientifically backed.  On the flip side, I could have my son talk about playing and imagination at the most basic level.  He dedicates his life to perfecting the art and that first hand experience matters, and as far as I’m concerned it is the doing that matters most.

But I want to thank you for coming to my blog, hopefully we can create a forum of Wisdom, a place where we take knowledge and put it in action.  A place where we can go and absorb the very essence of a balanced lifestyle, and coming together of work and play which will let us grow in all aspects of our life.  I don’t for a minute pretend to have all of the answers, I’m certainly a long way from the wise man of the mountain, but I promise to seek out knowledge that I don’t have, and offer you all the opportunity to advance either a lot, or a just little.