Crystal Nelson
The body needs sunlight to make vitamin D. But how does safe sunning work, e.g. B. to prevent a vitamin D deficiency? What happens with a vitamin D overdose? New studies show that too much sun can cause cancer – too little too. And: Can we use the solarium as an alternative?
Vitamin D Overdose: How Much Sun Is Healthy?
Experts agree: Five to ten minutes of the midday sun in summer is enough to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Then enough vitamin D is produced in the body. After 20-30 minutes, the body stops production anyway: A natural protection against vitamin D overdose. This means that a vitamin D overdose is hardly possible in a natural way – through natural vitamin D in food or through too much sunlight. On the other hand, the longer we stay in the sun, the greater the risk that UV light will damage the genetic material DNA in the skin cells. This happens even before the skin turns red. The changes then lead to a degeneration of the cells: white or black skin cancer develops. If it is detected early enough, the chances of recovery are good. With a new laser tomograph, doctors can now detect tumors without removing tissue. In addition, every sunburn causes the skin to age prematurely and causes five more wrinkles on the face on average.
How well does sunscreen protect the skin?
Most sunscreens only protect against carcinogenic UV-B rays. However, UV-A rays are responsible for skin aging. The sunscreen should therefore have a UV-A seal. Nevertheless, experts recommend parasols. Because the lotion can only protect the top layer of skin, it cannot protect the cells underneath from degeneration.
Is solarium a good alternative to natural sunlight?
Solariums are not a healthy sun alternative. Studies prove again and again that the artificial sun is even more carcinogenic than the real one. According to studies, the risk of black skin cancer increases by 20 to 90 percent. And the UV radiation is sometimes stronger than at the equator in summer at noon.
3 questions and answers about the right protection against UV rays
1. Question: Does drinking delay skin aging?
If we don’t drink enough, the body draws water from its skin cells, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and become extremely sensitive to the sun. Ideal: Two liters of mineral-rich water every day.
2. Question: Which foods protect the skin?
Sun exposure leads to cell toxins being formed in the body, which attack the tissue. Natural antidotes are, for example, beta-carotene (e.g. in carrots, and apricots), vitamin E (in rapeseed and olive oil), and vitamin C.
3. Question: How long will my sunscreen last?
Multiply your skin’s intrinsic protection time (EST) by the sun protection factor (SPF) of the sunscreen: Type 1: red hair, light eyes, fair complexion (ESZ 10 min.); Type 2: blond hair, light eyes, light complexion (ESZ 20 min.); Type 3: brown hair, tan skin, dark eyes (ESZ 30 min); Type 4: black hair, dark skin, and eyes (ESZ 40 min). If you are skin type 1 and use SPF 10, you are protected for 100 minutes.
