Arts & Entertainment
Yours in health: Sunshine is not the enemy, but sunscreen may be
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersEBS HEALTH COLUMNIST
According to the Vitamin D Council, 70 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a higher risk of cancers, depression, autoimmune disease, arthritis and other health concerns.
Summer is the best time of year to increase your vitamin D levels naturally through sun exposure. Many patients ask me, “How do I do that safely? Isn’t it dangerous to be exposed to the sun?”
The sun is our friend—as we learn in elementary school science, without the sun, life on our planet wouldn’t exist. So why are we so afraid of sun exposure?
Too much of a good thing can be dangerous and over-exposure to the sun can lead to skin damage and certain types of skin cancers. However, 20 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen is generally considered the “safe zone,” and is enough time to allow your body to produce vitamin D on its own. After 20 minutes your body will no longer produce vitamin D.
The average American needs at least three 20-minute sessions of sun exposure per week to produce healthy vitamin D levels on their own, according to alternative medicine proponent Dr. Joseph Mercola, D.O.
After you achieve your recommended dose of vitamin D, then what? Using a sunscreen that protects against UVB rays is your best option. However, some sunscreens are extremely toxic and it is important to be aware of what you are putting on your skin.
Oxybenzone is a popular ingredient used in most sunscreens, however it is a dangerous free-radical generator. Free radicals break down cell membranes, which accelerates aging and leads to many chronic disease processes. Oxybenzone is frightening because of its ability to penetrate into the blood stream. It mimics elevated estrogen symptoms which can cause reproductive conditions such as endometriosis in women and decreased sperm cell counts in men. It can also trigger allergic reactions similar to eczema.
Other ingredients to avoid that are found in common sunscreens include para amino benzoic acid, octyl salicyclate, avobenzoate, oxybenzone, cinoxate, padimate O, dioxybenzone, phenylbenzinidazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, mentyl anthranilate and trolamine salicylate.
Zinc oxide is your best option for sun protection. It protects your skin against UVA and UVB rays and is non-toxic. Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) is the best resource to find non-toxic skin care options for you and your family.
We are what we eat, and having a diet—or what I call a “live it”—high in antioxidants helps protect against free-radical damage. Salmon, green tea, cruciferous vegetables (kale, broccoli, asparagus), and tomatoes help protect against free radical oxidation.
Dr. Andrea Wick is a chiropractor and applied kinesiologist. She graduated from Life University in Marietta, Georgia, and now practices in Big Sky. She has a passion for holistic health care and being active in the outdoors. Her practice, Healing Hands Chiropractic, is located in the Meadow Village Center. Visit drandreawick.com to learn more.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
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25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716