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Showing posts from June, 2012

Q&A: Summer Health

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Why do some people say sunscreen actually leads to more cancer? Physiology answers this.   The pigment responsible for tanning, melanin, has other important roles: it absorbs the UV rays and neutralizes bad free-radicals when skin is invaded by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and from exposure to light. When you use a sunscreen, the melanin producing cells are not stimulated, which actually interferes with the skin’s natural ability to protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet light. Without melanin, the UVA’s are allowed to penetrate deeper into vessels, nerves, and tissues, which can lead to harmful mutations that can possibly lead to cancer. How does your body naturally protect itself from harmful affects of the sun? Your body uses endogenous antioxidants to protect your skin cells from the oxidative damage to your skin. Your body’s antioxidants mainly come from the vitamins and minerals from colorful fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin C, E, zinc, selenium,