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| the sun, let the beneficial light pass through the optic nerve to the pineal gland, which regulates several endocrine functions, such as biological rhythm synchronization and the sleep/wake cycle. We now know that melatonin, an immunostimulatory neurohormone and powerful antioxidant, is secreted by the pineal gland. 5,6 Spend time going for walks in the woods or away from traffic, breathing in the fresh, clean air. |
| Melanoma and Sunscreens |
| There has been a steep rise in the rates of melanoma since the mid-1970s. Sun avoidance and the use of chemical sunscreens have been the major strategies for risk reduction, yet there has been a steady rise in the incidence of melanoma mortality. There is a good deal of research showing a correlation between skin cancer and the use of sunscreens. 7 Most sunscreens block ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation but do not block ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation, which is 90 to 95 percent of the solar spectrum. Sunscreens that block UVB radiation may not only be ineffective in preventing cancers; their use may actually increase the risk. This is because sunscreens protect the skin from redness and sunburn, so people stay out in the sun longer than they should. In fact, in countries that have encouraged the use of sunscreens in recent years (Australia, Britain, France, and Switzerland) there has been a sharp increase in the incidence and mortality from melanoma. Aside from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, sunscreens also create an imbalance in the skin's accommodation to sunlight, thereby interfering with the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D 3. |
| For these reasons, I do not recommend using synthetic sunscreens. As stated in chapter 2, the only commercial sun protection product that I recommend is made by Aubrey (available in health food stores). This is a sunscreen that inhibits or reduces oxidative damage to the skin when exposed to sunlight. Rich in shea butter and African nut butter, which provide natural skin protection because of their high fatty acid content, Aubrey sunscreens are especially helpful for those who must spend lengthy periods of time in the sun. |
| Slightly more than half the eases of melanoma can be explained solely as sun-caused, but the conventional model does not explain the rest of them. I believe that the predominant theory suggesting that increased exposure to sunlight accounts for more incidences of melanoma is misleading and oversimplified. There is also consistent evidence of higher rates of melanoma among indoor |
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