TRUERENEWAL.com Dr. Jenine

The beautiful season of summer is nearly here.  This is a wonderful time of the year to start using the sun for our health (and continue all year long).  Contrary to popular opinion, our magnificent bodies are designed to receive sunlight regularly for good health.  In fact, worldwide research shows that sunlight is absolutely essential for good health.  In his book Sunlight, Dr. Zane Kime, M.D. provides many scientific studies that demonstrate sunlight’s beneficial effects in lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and how sunlight can increase endurance, immunity, promote weight loss, and the sun even has anti-cancer properities! 

Life develops and flourishes under the sun. Without sunlight, life could not exist. The human body is designed to follow this rule.  The sun is the most natural form of vitamin D and nature has intended that we get most of our vitamin D from the sun.  Vitamin D is almost completely absent in vegetable foods. Vitamin D is essential for the utilization of calcium and for collagen formation to build healthy bones.  When sunlight strikes the skin it initiates a process in which cholesterol is ultimately changed into vitamin D.

What about cancer?  Sunlight does not cause cancer.  It has been shown that cancer rates are much lower where there is the most sunlight, such as near the equator.  Some of the healthiest cultures in the world, such as the Hunzas and Vilcambabas, live at high elevations where sunlight is much more intense than at sea level. They typically spend many long hours outside every day yet they have traditionally lived to very old ages without getting any form of cancer. Their cultures have diets rich in whole foods, grown without chemicals or polluted water. Unnatural fats such as margarine are unknown to them.

So what is it then that has linked the sun to cancer?  It is the sunlight-nutrient connection.  Those with poor diets, full of chemicals and “bad fats” are at risk in the sun.  In these people, sunlight can trigger free radical formation and skin damage that may lead to skin cancer. Free radicals can cause skin to age prematurely, wrinkle, and sunburn, which can damage DNA and cause skin lesions. In contrast, research has shown that diets rich in nutrients such as good oils and antioxidants can help protect the skin against aging and sunlight damage. Antioxidants such as carotenes, can reduce the risk of cancer, including skin cancer, and help prevent DNA damage that can lead to degenerative disease.

Dr. Kime finds we are blaming the sun for problems that are really caused by poor diets that led to toxic sunlight reactions (such as skin cancer). For example, one study showed a 700% increase in skin cancer in people who ate margarine.  This “bad fat” created a toxic reaction in the skin that was exposed to the sun. Trans-fatty acids, such margarine, have been proven to be so harmful that they have been banned in several European countries.

Unfortunately, using sunscreens may not offer the protection we hope for and can create a false sense of security.  Decades of sunscreen use has not yet stopped the increasing skin cancer rate.  Interestingly, the chemicals in sunscreens may become carcinogenic when exposed to sunlight!  This use of toxic sunscreens may be part of the problem. As Dr. Kime points out in his book, if one person has good nutrient status, the sun’s rays may be very beneficial. However, if another person has poor nutrient status, the same sun exposure may be very harmful.  If you currently have a poor nutrient status, you may need to temporarily avoid direct sunlight exposure until you improve your nutrient status.

I used the sun daily as part of an anti-cancer program.  I ate only whole natural foods.  I avoided chemicals in my food and anything I put on my body.  I loaded up on carotenes which is known as “the sun umbrella”.  Carotenes is a class of compounds found in many plants.  It can help reduce the free radical activity that causes damage and premature aging of cells.  Since carotenes are used up during exposure to sunlight, our dietary supply must be adequate to provide continuous protection.  A good supplement source is Seagate’s Carrot & Garlic formula. 

When I first started to ramp up my sun exposure I didn’t feel well.  This is not uncommon and indicates a possible detox reaction.  I simply slowed up my exposure and increased my water consumption to help expel any toxins.  I gradually began to feel rejuvenated in the sun as I cleansed my body and gave it the proper nutrition.

It is important to work your way up to healthy and safe sun exposure.  It is essential to first remove the “bad fats” and chemicals from your diet.  Examples of “bad fats” are margarine, refined vegetables, partially hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, and most polyunsaturated fats.  Instead, use fish oils, flax oils (fresh), olive oil, and fresh butter. Start by sitting in shade for five or 10 minutes, without direct exposure to the sun. You will still get the beneficial radiation of the sun but without direct sun exposure. Sitting behind glass or metal screens does not activate vitamin D synthesis, you need to be outside.   Gradually build up to an hour outside daily.

Now that you are prepared to have some healthy sun exposure, spend some time in the sun and go organic!  Consider planting an organic garden. Organically grown vegetables are packed with super nutrition and are powerful antifungals.

Organic gardening is different from conventional gardening mainly in the areas of fertilization and pest control.  Organic gardening uses natural and organic materials and methods and avoids using synthetic chemicals. 

When planning your garden, consider the size of your family and the amount of produce you desire.  Choose a locataion that is in  well-drained area near a water supply. Avoid areas shaded by tall buildings or trees. Many gardeners find it helpful to draw out on paper the location of each row and the crop or succession of crops to be planted.

Since organic fertilizers and soil conditioning materials work slowly in general, they should be mixed into the soil at least three weeks ahead of planting.  A key factor for successful organic gardening is the use of abundant quantities of organic material applied to the soil. Usually, it is in the form of animal manures, plant manures, cover crops, compost, or mixed organic fertilizer.

Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc