Lunch with the Doctor

“Life on the Gulf Coast-Hydration, Bugs and Sun”

Sunscreen:

The incidence of skin cancer has tripled in the past 10 years. There are more than 600,000 cases diagnosed each year. However, sales of sunscreen have quadrupled. Actually, the greatest rise in melanoma is seen in countries that heavily promote chemical sunscreens. The concerns with overexposure to the sun are valid, but most sunscreen products cause more harm than good. They can penetrate the skin, increase free radical production and actually increase your chance of getting cancer-not just skin cancer, but uterine, breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Chemicals to avoid include PABA, Dioxybenzone, Oxybenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Cinnamates, Benzophenones and Nitrosamines. (ALL of these chemicals are banned from sunscreen in Europe, but are allowed in the US) The FDA says “Nitrosamines themselves can be carcinogenic, however, at this time, it is uncertain whether this nitrosamine is present in sufficient quantities in sunscreen to be of concern”. Do you want to lather up with something that in “uncertain”???

In addition to being estrogenic and increasing your chances of cancer, these chemicals also block the body’s ability to make vitamin D by ~95%, thus causing bone weakness, reducing calcium absorption and cell growth, and causing heart complications.

What do we do?? Avoid the sun from 10-2. Seek the shade. Wear hats and protective clothing. Eat lots of fruits and veggies (they are natural antioxidants and vitamin C is proven to block UVA rays). Choose sunscreens that are natural or Zinc Oxide. Jason Naturals. Sunbrella.

Bugspray

Is DEET safe?? NO! It readily absorbs in skin and has been proven to cause toxic encepholopathy with over exposure. USE WITH CAUTION.

Natural Choices to Repel Mosquitos: Eucalyptus oil (30% concentration in alcohol)
Plant Marigolds in the yard
Skin-So-Soft (mix half and half with rubbing alcohol)
Thai Lemon glass- essential oil in alcohol or mild oil

Ready to Use products: Jason Natural Quit Bugging Me. Bite Blocker.
Kiss My Face Swyflotter. Burts Bee. All available at drugstore.com

Ants: dish soap and water. Citrus oil or cinnamon to form a barrier.
Roaches: boric acid. Especially in high places.

Water:
80% of the US population is walking around dehydrated. Main reason: CAFFEINE.
Caffeine prompts loss of water from cells.

Your Blood: 83% water
Your Muscles: 75% water
Your Brain: 74% water
Your Bones: 22% water

Water is necessary for digestion and the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. It improves your energy and your physical/mental perception. It helps to detoxify the liver and kidneys. It removes waste from the body. It gives your skin a healthy, youthful glow. It helps you lose weight, reduces headaches and dizziness. It is essentially the “wonder drug” we are all looking for.

“If you are dehydrated, your blood is thicker, and your body has to work harder to circulate your blood. As you dehydrate your brain is less active, it is harder to concentrate, and your body fatigues quickly. Basically, you feel pooped”.

If you google “benefits of drinking water”, you will get 1,870,000 hits. That is how healthy it is.

Good resources:

www.drugstore.com
www.ecosafetyproducts.com
www.eartheasy.com