Now we know. We must AVOID products with an SPF rating. Here’s why.

My clients continually say they want to take care of their bodies on a deep level.

This can only happen when we reduce the toxins we consume – through what we breathe, eat, and put on our bodies.

Commercial sunscreen is one of those toxins we should avoid.

Of the sixteen UV filters approved by the FDA for use as sunscreen ingredients, NONE of them were subject to full research before approval.

There are two types of UV filters – chemical and physical.

Chemical filters absorb UV rays, while physical filters scatter and reflect UV rays.

Each of the chemical and physical filters in sunscreen has its own toxicity; they’re all toxic – to both humans and the environment.1

Chemical filters are known endocrine disrupters. That is, they mimic and displace our own hormones so that they cannot perform their vital functions.2

They also alter and interfere with reproduction.

It makes the fish intersex. Their ovaries’ material gets mixed up with testicular material. They quit spawning.”3

This hormonal mix up doesn’t stop with fish. Sunscreens contain very strong anti-testosterone chemicals. “Our kids don’t know if they’re boys or girls.”4

And sunscreens are now in our water. Even if kids don’t use sunscreens, they’re drinking these toxic chemicals.5

All chemical filters are fat-soluble, which allows them to easily get into the brain, impair nerve transmission, and cause a toxic effect on the nerves.

The two physical filters found in sunscreens are zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). They’re the ones that coat your skin white in their bulk paste form.

At one time it was believed that this bulk pasty form was safe.

Based on this assumption, in 1999, the FDA approved the use of nanosize and micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles in sunscreens and other consumer products…

without evidence of safety.6

Subsequent research has shown that both the bulk paste and smaller particles are harmful. Both can damage our cell membranes.7

Manufacturers are not required to list particle size on their labeling. Thus, we as consumers are unaware of their presence in sunscreens and other products and their potential harm.

See Note 1 to gain an understanding of particle size and products containing ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles.

The interaction of nanoparticles and UV radiation damage cells and DNA. Titanium dioxide disrupts the body’s ability to perform its normal DNA repair, which is essential for good health.8

Titanium dioxide has also been shown to interfere with reproduction. This interference includes premature and suppressed egg development, death of ovary cells, deformed follicle growth, decreased testosterone and decreased sperm count.9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17

What’s more concerning is that these nanoparticles do not leave the body. Their harmful effects can accumulate and continue indefinitely.18

Spray sunscreens pose an even greater threat than lotions. Inhalation increases exposure of the brain to zinc nanoparticles because the olfactory nerves can directly transport the nanoparticles into the brain.19

This is even more harmful for babies and children whose brains are developing up to age 25.

Inhaled nanoparticles also cause lung damage. This allows nanoparticles to travel through the blood to all tissues and organs, creating oxidation damage in the brain, lungs, blood, lymph nodes, liver, kidney and spleen.20

Not only do you need to avoid using spray sunscreens, you need to stay clear of anyone spraying themselves or their kids.

All ocean life needs sunlight. But these sunscreen chemicals block them from getting the sunlight because it forms a film over the ocean. “The corals are dying, the fish aren’t as pretty, and the turtles have huge tumors on their backs.”21

What’s more, the fish absorb the sunscreen. When we eat the fish, we can be eating sunscreen because it’s in their muscles.22

I am not saying don’t eat fish. But let’s stop contributing to the problem.

* * * * * * *

Books have been written on the contaminants in sunscreens and the threat they pose to our health and those around us. I’ve only highlighted a few.

We’ve learned that instead of looking for products with an SPF rating, we should avoid them.

The FDA will not even allow products to be tested for a SPF value ranking unless they contain one of their approved sunscreen filters.

And as I’ve explained, all of these approved filters are toxic to the body and environment.

Fortunately we have healthy options to commercial sunscreens.

Check out my blog: Uncertain about ditching that sunscreen? Check out these healthy options.

* * * * * * *

I love working with people one-on-one to address their individual needs in understanding and reducing their toxic load.

Many of us have difficulty connecting the dots… what’s causing the IBS, inability to lose or gain weight, allergies, asthma, auto-immune disorder,…

I offer free 30-minute Discovery Calls to see if we’re a good fit in addressing these issues. In the call, we’ll look at where you are today, where you want to be, and how I can help you bridge that gap.

Reducing toxins (including eliminating sunscreens) has made a huge difference in my life. I used to have constant anxiety and regret. I don’t any more.

What’s more, people come up to me out of the blue and say, “you radiate health.”

I would love for you to enjoy this same experience.

Click here to book your Discovery Call today.

Peace and grace,
Karen

Note 1: The definition of “nano” refers to particles less than one hundred nanometers in size (with one nanometer being approximately half the size of a strand of DNA). The term “micro” applies to particles greater than one hundred nanometers. The diameter of a human hair—approximately seventy-five thousand nanometers—is about five thousand times larger than a fifteen-nanometer-in-diameter nanoparticle. Numerous modern products—including paints, papers, foods, toothpaste, makeup and chewing gum in addition to sunscreens—now contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, with skyrocketing exposure over the two decades since the FDA’s approval.23

1Janjua NR, Kongshoj B, Andersson AM, Wulf HC. Sunscreens in human plasma and urine after repeated whole-body topical application. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008;22:456-61.

2Wang J, Pan L, Wu S, et al. Recent advances on endocrine disrupting effects of UV filters. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(8). Pii:E782.

4Ibid

5Ibid

6Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts Volume 19 Number 4 p 26-35

7Coccini T, Grandi S, Lonati D, Locatelli C, De Simone U. Comparative cellular toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on human astrocyte and neuronal cells after acute and prolonged exposure. Neurotoxicology 2015;48:77-89.

8Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts Volume 19 Number 4 p 26-35

9Brohi RD, Wang L, Talpur HS, et al. Toxicity of nanoparticles on the reproductive system in animal models: a review. Front Pharmacol 2017;8:606.

10Di Virgilio AL, Reigosa M, Arnal PM, Fernández Lorenzo de Mele M. Comparative study of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of titanium oxide and aluminium oxide nanoparticles in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells. J Hazard Mater 2010;177(1-3):711-8.

11Shimizu M, Tainaka H, Oba T, Mizuo K, Umezawa M, Takeda K. Maternal exposure to nanoparticulate titanium dioxide during the prenatal period alters gene expression related to brain development in the mouse. Part Fibre Toxicol 2009;6:20.

12Mohammadipour A, Fazel A, Haghir H, et al. Maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles during pregnancy; impaired memory and decreased hippocampal cell proliferation in rat offspring. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2014;37(2):617-25.

13Mohammadipour A, Hosseini M, Fazel A, et al. The effects of exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles during lactation period on learning and memory of rat offspring. Toxicol Ind Health 2016;32(2):221-8.

14Umezawa M, Tainaka H, Kawashima N, et al. Effect of fetal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticle on brain development—brain region information. J Toxicol Sci 2012;37(6):1247-52.

15Yamashita K, Yoshioka Y, Higashisaka K, et al. Silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles cause pregnancy complications in mice. Nat Nanotechnol 2011;6(5):321-8.

16Liu J, Zhao Y, Ge W, et al. Oocyte exposure to ZnO nanoparticles inhibits early embryonic development through the γ-H2AX and NF-κB signaling pathways. Oncotarget 2017;8(26):42673-92.

17Liu J, Zhao Y, Ge W, et al. Oocyte exposure to ZnO nanoparticles inhibits early embryonic development through the γ-H2AX and NF-κB signaling pathways. Oncotarget 2017;8(26):42673-92.

18Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts Volume 19 Number 4 p 26-35

19Kao YY, Cheng Tj, Yang DM, Wang CT, Chiung YM, Liu PS. Demonstration of an olfactory bulb-brain translocation pathway for ZnO nanoparticles in rodent cells in vitro and in vivo. J Mol Neurosci 2012;48(2):464-71.

20Pujalté I, Dieme D, Haddad S, Serventi AM, Bouchard M. Toxicokinetics of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles after inhalation in rats. Toxicol Lett 2017;265:77-85.

21Ibid

22Ibid

23Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts Volume 19 Number 4 p 26-35

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Enjoy this wintertime essential. 

When cold season hits, what’s better to have on hand than homemade, nutrient dense bone broth?

Get your free guide along with monthly REAL food tips & inspiration right to your inbox.
 
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