Is Your Sunscreen Causing More Harm Than Good?

How Does Your Sunscreen Rank? Find Out in EWG's New Database

Summer's here and we all want to avoid sunburn and skin cancer. So just slather on sunscreen, right?
Well, not just any sunscreen. Search EWG's sunscreen safety database to find out what's safest and most effective for you and your family.
There are no federal sunscreen safety standards in the U.S., even though the FDA has been drafting them for the past 29 years. And did you know that SPF ratings only cover UVB rays, which cause burns, but not UVA rays, which raise skin cancer risk?
Environmental Working Group's sunscreen database is the result of 18 months of research, and they found that 84% of 783 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Find out what's safest and most effective for you, and especially for your kids' delicate skin. Then go have fun in the sun!
The popularity of the database has caused a huge spike in EWG's website traffic -- so check it out today, but be patient if it takes a minute to load. EWG is a small non-profit doing our best to meet the demand.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• Many people don't realize that their sunscreens can cause just as much harm as good. Some of the "skincare" products on the market today are loaded with toxic chemicals that could very well be a more significant cause of skin cancer than the sun ever could be. The work done by the Environmental Working Group is a must read for any health conscious consumer. Check out the link above for more info.


• I know the next statement flies in the face of current health models out there, but I firmly believe that THE SUN DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER! It's the toxic chemical in your skin from "health" and beauty products, the environment, and our diets that cause cancer. The sun simply heats things up enough to speed up the chemical reaction (i.e. acts as a catalyst). By the way, I'm not alone in this idea. Many health experts out there adhere to the same idea.


• The best sunscreen is knowledge... knowing when enough sun is enough. Our skin and our body needs sun exposure to be healthy. We get the majority of our vitamin D from direct sunlight exposure, however sunscreen blocks the process of Vitamin D formation.


• Research shows that just 15 minutes on direct sunlight on your skin will give your body enough vitamin D for the day. The trouble is our clothes also hinder the process of vitamin D formation. If we want to get adequate sunlight exposure for vitamin D production, it has to be more than just our faces and hand seeing the sun.


• Why is vitamin D important? Last week we featured research showing the anti-cancer effects of vitamin D. In fact recent research shows that vitamin D plays a huge roll in keeping your body healthy and staving off disease.


• I only apply sunscreen to my skin and my children if I know we are going to be out in the sun and exposed for long periods of time (the beach, pool, etc). If I we are out playing in the yard or working in the garden, I do not apply sunscreen. I want all the vitamin D I can get.

Going for the Gold With Chiropractic Care

2007 U.S. Adult Singles and Pairs Champions Apply Chiropractic Care to Their Ice Skating Regimens
SANTA ROSA & CARMICHAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Young or old, amateur or professional, figure skating at any level is a sport that causes discomfort and consistently strains muscles in the back, neck, legs and arms. For “30-something” skaters Ninotchka Aschow, Choeleen Loundagin and William Abel – all from Santa Rosa, California -- chiropractic care has not only been an important and necessary staple in their training and preparation but has also helped each one to realize a dream of winning a gold medal.
Along with competing at around the same age bracket, the three skaters have something else in common: they all work with chiropractor Dr. Christina Dumbadse, who not only offers the skaters physical relief from their injuries, but also takes a holistic approach to patient management, introducing ways to improve the skaters’ wellness, nutrition and mental acuity. Dr. Dumbadse is a member of The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (http://www.f4cp.org/), a not-for-profit organization providing education about the benefits of chiropractic care.
“I am thoroughly impressed with Dr. Dumbadse’s approach, especially her attention to the latest research, best approaches for athletes and her pro-active approach to care,” says Loundagin, a 39-year-old singles skater throughout her entire career who did not actively compete for almost 22 years.
As a skating coach, she was constantly around the rink watching and interacting with the skaters, and assisting with their training. When the opportunity to participate in a pairs competition was presented to her, Loundagin embarked on an intense training schedule with skating partner, William Abel.
“Going from singles to pairs was a tricky transition, however seeing a chiropractor two to three times a week allowed me to develop the additional muscle and upper body strength for lifting, as well as keeping my alignment consistent,” explains Loundagin, who along with Abel won gold in the first championships pair’s competition at the U.S. Adult Championships. “I think it is important to take care of your body and appreciate what it is doing for you. Chiropractic care definitely helped me become stronger in areas that I was lacking.”
In the beginning, Abel would only visit with his chiropractor for adjustment purposes. Soon his office visits increased when he learned that chiropractic care was just as useful for preventative care.
“Skating is an unbalanced sport – you are jumping and landing on the same side of your body over and over,” says Abel. “Pairs skaters are always lifting with one arm and continuous favoring one side of the body. Over time, you begin to feel various pain sensations that can put your body into an uncomfortable state. For me, chiropractic care is the only thing that can turn around this type of situation. I would not go to a medical doctor for something like this.”
Ninotchka Aschow also understands the health and wellness benefits that come with chiropractic care. At age 37, she captured her second championship, the Gold Ladies Title at the 2007 U.S. Singles Championship.
“I have been seeing a chiropractor for the last 15 years and am confident that if I fall awkwardly and feel some discomfort during my performance, my chiropractor will fix my alignment and get me back on the ice later that day,” says Aschow. “I feel more vibrant and alive at age 37 than I did at age 27, and I can say that is a direct result of chiropractic care.”

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• Preventative, performance based chiropractic care is increasingly being used by professional and endurance athletes for one simple reason... it gives them an extra edge.


• The fact that spinal alignment would help an athlete perform is not a new idea nor is it difficult to understand. What you may not know however is that you can have spinal misalignment with no symptoms whatsoever. Therefore, anyone who is serious about competitive athletics should visit a chiropractor regularly.


• Interestingly, alignment is only half the issue. The Chiropractic adjustment also stimulates nerve pathways in the brain to increase coordination and balance... a must for all athletes.


• Furthermore, many chiropractors have advanced training in holistic measures such as diet, exercise, and specific training techniques to help the body to naturally excel at performance and recovery. Ask to learn more on your next visit!