Sun Exposure: How the Sun Affects Your Body

90% of skin aging is due to sun exposure. Exposure to the sun can also be linked to premature aging, skin damage and of course, skin cancer. While sunlight can be a beneficial source of Vitamin D, an essential nutrient for the aging process, too much sun exposes you to powerful ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) that can have damaging and long-term health effects on your body.

Your skin is a reflection of your health. When you are in the sun, powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays travel deep into the layers of your skin. Studies show that both UVA and UVB rays have damaging effects on the skin, by destroying your cells’ ability to attach to one another, making skin more fragile and susceptible to damage and risk of infection. Sun damage and repeated sunburns can degrade your skin structure, leading to premature aging and skin cancer^.1 Sun burns and excessive UV radiation also damage your DNA, spike your blood sugar levels, deplete your body’s antioxidant reserves, and increase oxidative stress in your body, harming your skin and your long-term health. Too much sun can also fuel inflammation, cause dehydration, and other harmful threats to how you feel.  

To protect your skin from risks of sun damage, you need to treat the skin internally and externally. Externally, using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15, and practicing smart sun safety is a great first step to help protect you from solar radiation, sunburns, and sun damage. Wearing a sunhat, staying in the shade, limiting time in the sun and wearing protective clothing can also help reduce your risk of sun damage. Inflammatory foods like trans fats, excess sugar, and alcohol can lower your defenses and increase skin damage from a sunburn, so avoiding them is a good strategy.

Inner nourishment of the skin helps it repair from damage. Natural, powerful antioxidant ingredients, foods, and supplements are shown to help prevent sunburns, defend against threats from the sun, and increase recovery time if you do get too much sun. Along with sunblock, studies show that nutritional antioxidants and ingredients like green tea extract, alpha lipoic acid, and functional mushrooms can provide the essential support you need to keep skin healthy and safe in the sun.² 

For ultimate antioxidant defense against UV radiation, ecoNugenics recommends physician-formulated Cellular Shield. With botanical extracts like boswellia and green tea leaf, functional mushrooms like cordyceps and reishi, and nutrients like Alpha Lipoic Acid and L-Carnitine, Cellular Shield delivers a daily dose of super antioxidants that provide healthy defenses for your skin, cells and DNA. Cellular Shield helps to keep skin healthy against UV radiation and the oxidative stress it can cause. Cellular Shield promotes nourished, healthy skin and healthy aging.*

“My naturopath recommended Cellular Shield for protection against radiation. I’m happy to say my energy has returned in full force (and then some) and my headaches are gone. I also notice my skin looks better. Thanks for creating this formula—I feel a lot better in general.”  

Another key supplement for defending against UV rays, is PectaSol modified citrus pectin. This super-nutrient for total-body health defends against age-related impacts and optimizes cellular performance. PectaSol supports healthy inflammation responses and promotes comprehensive total-body benefits, by blocking a protein called galectin-3 that drives skin aging. Research shows how galectin-3 can increase the impacts of UV radiation on the skin. With over 70 published studies, PectaSol is the only agent shown to block galectin-3 and deliver powerful benefits to optimize your skin health and total-body wellness.*

The sun can be a fun, and healthy source, within reason. With the right sun protection and skincare, including effective antioxidants to shield against UV radiation and damage, you can defend your skin, and your long-term health, with powerful antioxidant and cell support. 

Sources:

1. Lipsky ZW, German GK.  J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2019 Dec;100:103391.
2. Saric S, Sivamani RK. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Sep 9;17(9):1521. doi: 10.3390/ijms17091521. PMID: 27618035; PMCID: PMC5037798.
3. Braeuer RR, Zigler M, Kamiya T, et al. Cancer Res. 2012 Nov 15;72(22):5757-66.