Re: Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

[Guest guest]

Thanks for posting that, it is interesting what is considered " new " ....

For any open to the concept that sunlight might not be all bad, I suggest

checking out " Sunlight " by Zane R Kime, MD. The book was published in 1980

and has one chapter dedicated to cancer & sunlight with over 70 citations.

While these studies may be 25 YO it sounds like this new interest is re-

inventing the wheel.

FWIW sunlight and Vit D has multiple wide ranging ramifications for personal

health management.

Perhaps if the sun-screen lobby wasn't so much bigger than the tanning bed

lobby,

or better yet if medical advice wasn't so prone to be influenced by profit

potential. There might be more advice to get some sun, without the funny lotions

or pills. :-)

JR

PS: Note: Vit D acts like a hormone, so while the body regulates similar to

Vit A, too much supplementation of the active form can be harmful. Natural

sunlight

seems to be well tolerated as long as you avoid obvious overexposure.

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of citpeks

Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 1:54 PM

Subject: [ ] Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

Here is an interesting article.

Tony

========

http://news./s/ap/sunshine___cancer

" vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even

treating many types of cancer.

In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped

protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and,

ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

Many people aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's hard to do from food

and fortified milk alone, and supplements are problematic.

So the thinking is this: Even if too much sun leads to skin cancer,

which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse.

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach. But many scientists

believe that " safe sun " — 15 minutes or so a few times a week

without

sunscreen — is not only possible but helpful to health. "

[Guest guest]

I would like to add one observation from the 25YO Kime book that might explain

why

the medical community remains confused over the sunlight is good/bad issue.

Kime suggests that sunlight in the presence of a high fat diet is indeed bad,

while

moderate sunlight in the context of a low fat diet is beneficial. If studies

don't control

for fat in diet that could explain mixed results. Kime further suggests, high

fat and

low sunlight is double bad (gee that sounds like the present SAD).

He also pointed out the danger of trans/cis fats long before they were popular

to dislike.

Another important distinction about fats lost in the popular promotion of

healthier fats

to the masses is that just because some are healthier doesn't mean we should

consume

" lots " of them.... More moderation (is that an oxymoron?).

JR

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of

Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 5:46 PM

Subject: RE: [ ] Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

Thanks for posting that, it is interesting what is considered " new " ....

For any open to the concept that sunlight might not be all bad, I suggest

checking out " Sunlight " by Zane R Kime, MD. The book was published in 1980

and has one chapter dedicated to cancer & sunlight with over 70 citations.

While these studies may be 25 YO it sounds like this new interest is re-

inventing the wheel.

FWIW sunlight and Vit D has multiple wide ranging ramifications for personal

health management.

Perhaps if the sun-screen lobby wasn't so much bigger than the tanning bed

lobby,

or better yet if medical advice wasn't so prone to be influenced by profit

potential. There might be more advice to get some sun, without the funny lotions

or pills. :-)

JR

PS: Note: Vit D acts like a hormone, so while the body regulates similar to

Vit A, too much supplementation of the active form can be harmful. Natural

sunlight

seems to be well tolerated as long as you avoid obvious overexposure.

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of citpeks

Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 1:54 PM

Subject: [ ] Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

Here is an interesting article.

Tony

========

http://news./s/ap/sunshine___cancer

" vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even

treating many types of cancer.

In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped

protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and,

ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

Many people aren't getting enough vitamin D. It's hard to do from food

and fortified milk alone, and supplements are problematic.

So the thinking is this: Even if too much sun leads to skin cancer,

which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse.

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach. But many scientists

believe that " safe sun " — 15 minutes or so a few times a week

without

sunscreen — is not only possible but helpful to health. "

[Guest guest]

--- In , " " <crjohnr@b...>

wrote:

> I would like to add one observation from the 25YO Kime book that

might explain why

> the medical community remains confused over the sunlight is good/bad

issue.

>

> Kime suggests that sunlight in the presence of a high fat diet is

indeed bad, while

> moderate sunlight in the context of a low fat diet is beneficial. If

studies don't control

> for fat in diet that could explain mixed results. Kime further

suggests, high fat and

> low sunlight is double bad (gee that sounds like the present SAD).

Here's an interesting and more recent report:

NUTRITIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST SKIN DAMAGE FROM SUNLIGHT

Helmut Sies and ­Wilhelm Stahl­

Annual Review of Nutrition

Vol. 24: 173-200 (Volume publication date July 2004)

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.13232\

0

The authors report that " dietary protection is provided by

carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbate, flavonoids, or n-3 fatty acids,

contributing to maintenance resistance as part of lifelong protection. "

Numerous studies have also shown that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

in green tea (both topicaL and ingested) offers some protection.

http://intapp.medscape.com/px/medlineapp/getdoc?ord=3 & searchid=1 & have_local_hold\

ings_file=1 & local_journals_only=0 & searchstring=%22green+tea%22+AND+UVB

" The in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies suggest that green

tea polyphenols are photoprotective in nature, and can be used as

pharmacological agents for the prevention of solar UVB light-induced

skin disorders including photoaging, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin

cancers after more clinical trials in humans. "

Another good resource for information about sunlight and health is the

Sunlight Nutrition And Health Research Center (SUNARC) site at:

http://www.sunarc.org/index.htm

They have interesting mortality maps for different types of cancers,

most of which seem to cluster in the northeast.

Some tips from SUNARC:

*Lipids in the skin provide some protection against UV radiation, but

soaps tend to diminish these lipids, and it can take up to a week to

replenish them. Consider not washing with soap as often during during

the sunny season, especially right before exposure.

*Smoking, eating too much of certain types of fat, and being

overweight all contribute to adverse effects from sun exposure.

*Altitude of UV radiation exposure strongly affects the UV dose

(higher dose at higher altitudes).

*Beta carotene appears to act as a natural sunscreen. It goes to the

skin and can color it orange or yellow, and this pigment absorbs UV

radiation. Also, melanin is nature's way of protecting against UV

radiation, produced either genetically or through tanning. Melanin

both blocks the penetration of UVB as well as repairs some of the

damage done by UV.

*Optimal sun exposure times are dependant on skin type and latitude.

For example, people with fair skin whose ancestors came from Ireland

or parts of Scandinavia may be adapted for exposure at around 50

degrees N; such skin types have to be much more cautious if they're

living or vacationing at 30 degrees N (e.g., Florida). People with

olive skin are better adapted to sun exposure at the 30 degree

latitude, and can tolerate longer exposure. (In other words, there's

no one " magic amount " of sun that's right for everybody everywhere.)

-Liz (freckly and frying in Louisiana)

[Guest guest]

At the risk of possibly stating the obvious, the benefits of sunlight may be

such that our skin pigmentation

adapted at higher latitudes to allow more sunlight through. Of course some may

argue the opposite, that skin pigmentation

increased to protect lower latitudes from getting too much. Probably merit in

both arguments but if we originally evolved at lower

latitudes was the pigmentation so costly we couldn't afford to keep it? I

suspect the sunlight was beneficial enough that we

de-evolved (yes, we are Devo) and adapted away from earlier levels of

pigmentation. This may be an old argument, I spend more time

here in MS. just arguing about evolution :-) to discuss specific adaptations.

The Kime book is heavily footnoted, and while 25YO if the original studies were

well executed, new studies need to expand our

understanding not re-invent it.

JR

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of wachendorfia

Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 8:23 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

--- In , " " <crjohnr@b...>

wrote:

> I would like to add one observation from the 25YO Kime book that

might explain why

> the medical community remains confused over the sunlight is good/bad

issue.

>

> Kime suggests that sunlight in the presence of a high fat diet is

indeed bad, while

> moderate sunlight in the context of a low fat diet is beneficial. If

studies don't control

> for fat in diet that could explain mixed results. Kime further

suggests, high fat and

> low sunlight is double bad (gee that sounds like the present SAD).

Here's an interesting and more recent report:

NUTRITIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST SKIN DAMAGE FROM SUNLIGHT

Helmut Sies and ­Wilhelm Stahl­

Annual Review of Nutrition

Vol. 24: 173-200 (Volume publication date July 2004)

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.13232\

0

The authors report that " dietary protection is provided by

carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbate, flavonoids, or n-3 fatty acids,

contributing to maintenance resistance as part of lifelong protection. "

Numerous studies have also shown that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

in green tea (both topicaL and ingested) offers some protection.

http://intapp.medscape.com/px/medlineapp/getdoc?ord=3 & searchid=1 & have_local_hold\

ings_file=1 & local_journals_only=0 & searchstring=%22gr

een+tea%22+AND+UVB

" The in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies suggest that green

tea polyphenols are photoprotective in nature, and can be used as

pharmacological agents for the prevention of solar UVB light-induced

skin disorders including photoaging, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin

cancers after more clinical trials in humans. "

Another good resource for information about sunlight and health is the

Sunlight Nutrition And Health Research Center (SUNARC) site at:

http://www.sunarc.org/index.htm

They have interesting mortality maps for different types of cancers,

most of which seem to cluster in the northeast.

Some tips from SUNARC:

*Lipids in the skin provide some protection against UV radiation, but

soaps tend to diminish these lipids, and it can take up to a week to

replenish them. Consider not washing with soap as often during during

the sunny season, especially right before exposure.

*Smoking, eating too much of certain types of fat, and being

overweight all contribute to adverse effects from sun exposure.

*Altitude of UV radiation exposure strongly affects the UV dose

(higher dose at higher altitudes).

*Beta carotene appears to act as a natural sunscreen. It goes to the

skin and can color it orange or yellow, and this pigment absorbs UV

radiation. Also, melanin is nature's way of protecting against UV

radiation, produced either genetically or through tanning. Melanin

both blocks the penetration of UVB as well as repairs some of the

damage done by UV.

*Optimal sun exposure times are dependant on skin type and latitude.

For example, people with fair skin whose ancestors came from Ireland

or parts of Scandinavia may be adapted for exposure at around 50

degrees N; such skin types have to be much more cautious if they're

living or vacationing at 30 degrees N (e.g., Florida). People with

olive skin are better adapted to sun exposure at the 30 degree

latitude, and can tolerate longer exposure. (In other words, there's

no one " magic amount " of sun that's right for everybody everywhere.)

-Liz (freckly and frying in Louisiana)

[Guest guest]

Some time ago, I got a copy of " The Protein Power Lifeplan " by Drs.

and Eades (Warner Books, 2000). Although it is primarily

a diet book, it purports to present a " blueprint for optimal health " .

Chapter 10 (pp. 227-258) discusses sunshine, cancer, and vitamin D.

The book recommends regular sunbaths, but never allowing yourself get

sunburned. Some interesting points:

1) UVB converts a special type of cholesterol to a precursor of

vitamin D. p. 231

2) PABA, a common sunblock agent can be altered chemically by solar

radiation into a potential cancer-causing compound. p. 233

3) Oral supplementation of vitamin D can be toxic, as the Brithish

discovered in the 1950s when they added too much vitamin D to their

food supply. p.234

4) Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption, and it does not make

much sense to take calcium supplements while avoiding the sun. p.236

5) Vitamin D and its metabolites actually retard growth of some

cancers. p. 241

6) " In a study of people who developed malignant melanoma, all of

those afflicted stated that they had eaten less saturated fat and more

polyunsaturated fat in the ten months prior to ther diagnosis. " p. 243

Diet and sun exposure are intimately correlated. Isn't it ironic that

the saturated fats that we shun to avoid cardiovascular diseases could

actually protect us from getting cancer when exposed to the sun? How

do you choose the right balance?

Tony

--- In , " " <crjohnr@b...>

wrote:

> At the risk of possibly stating the obvious, the benefits of

sunlight may be such that our skin pigmentation

> adapted at higher latitudes to allow more sunlight through. Of

course some may argue the opposite, that skin pigmentation

> increased to protect lower latitudes from getting too much. Probably

merit in both arguments but if we originally evolved at lower

> latitudes was the pigmentation so costly we couldn't afford to keep

it? I suspect the sunlight was beneficial enough that we

> de-evolved (yes, we are Devo) and adapted away from earlier levels

of pigmentation. This may be an old argument, I spend more time

> here in MS. just arguing about evolution :-) to discuss specific

adaptations.

>

> The Kime book is heavily footnoted, and while 25YO if the original

studies were well executed, new studies need to expand our

> understanding not re-invent it.

>

> JR

[Guest guest]

My sense from The Mime Book was not that saturated fats were protective against

skin cancer, but that unsaturated fats were more damaging. So I guess one could

say saturated fats are less bad, but a high fat diet in general correlates with

increased cancers of all types.

JR

-----Original Message-----

From:

[mailto: ]On Behalf Of citpeks

Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 10:53 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

Some time ago, I got a copy of " The Protein Power Lifeplan " by Drs.

and Eades (Warner Books, 2000). Although it is primarily

a diet book, it purports to present a " blueprint for optimal health " .

Chapter 10 (pp. 227-258) discusses sunshine, cancer, and vitamin D.

The book recommends regular sunbaths, but never allowing yourself get

sunburned. Some interesting points:

1) UVB converts a special type of cholesterol to a precursor of

vitamin D. p. 231

2) PABA, a common sunblock agent can be altered chemically by solar

radiation into a potential cancer-causing compound. p. 233

3) Oral supplementation of vitamin D can be toxic, as the Brithish

discovered in the 1950s when they added too much vitamin D to their

food supply. p.234

4) Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption, and it does not make

much sense to take calcium supplements while avoiding the sun. p.236

5) Vitamin D and its metabolites actually retard growth of some

cancers. p. 241

6) " In a study of people who developed malignant melanoma, all of

those afflicted stated that they had eaten less saturated fat and more

polyunsaturated fat in the ten months prior to ther diagnosis. " p. 243

Diet and sun exposure are intimately correlated. Isn't it ironic that

the saturated fats that we shun to avoid cardiovascular diseases could

actually protect us from getting cancer when exposed to the sun? How

do you choose the right balance?

Tony

--- In , " " <crjohnr@b...>

wrote:

> At the risk of possibly stating the obvious, the benefits of

sunlight may be such that our skin pigmentation

> adapted at higher latitudes to allow more sunlight through. Of

course some may argue the opposite, that skin pigmentation

> increased to protect lower latitudes from getting too much. Probably

merit in both arguments but if we originally evolved at lower

> latitudes was the pigmentation so costly we couldn't afford to keep

it? I suspect the sunlight was beneficial enough that we

> de-evolved (yes, we are Devo) and adapted away from earlier levels

of pigmentation. This may be an old argument, I spend more time

> here in MS. just arguing about evolution :-) to discuss specific

adaptations.

>

> The Kime book is heavily footnoted, and while 25YO if the original

studies were well executed, new studies need to expand our

> understanding not re-invent it.

>

> JR