By Nobel Laureate in Medicine Dr. Louis Ignarro and
Naturopathic Physician Dr. Andrew Myers
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the
most common of all cancer types. There are more than 1 million skin cancers
found each year in the United States. That’s more than prostate, breast, lung,
colon, uterine, ovarian and pancreatic cancer combined. And the number of skin
cancers has been steadily rising for the past 30 years.
Skin cancer screening is becoming a very important
preventive measure to consider for anyone who is concerned about a worrisome
skin lesion. Early detection of melanoma
or other types of skin cancer can save your life. Simple screenings using the DermaScan™ is a
simple device that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to show the sun damage that is
invisible to the naked eye. By looking into the DermaScan™, you can see the sun
damage that has already happened to your face in as little as five minutes.
The good news is there is a lot you can do to protect
yourself and your family from skin cancer. Most skin cancers are caused by too
much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Solar radiation is one of the most damaging elements for
your skin; causing sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer. Using
sunscreens, staying in the shade and covering exposed skin are still among the
best methods for protecting your skin.
In addition to covering up, research now indicates that several
nutrients and antioxidants can aid in protecting and healing damaged skin and
may contribute to lowering the risk of developing skin cancer.
Antioxidants
When sunlight burns exposed skin the result is a cascade of
free radicals causing damage to skin tissues, reducing elasticity and contributing
to the formation of "age spots," wrinkles and increasing the risk of
developing skin cancer. In clinical trials, a number of antioxidants, including
carotenoids and vitamins E and C, have been found to be capable of scavenging
free radicals generated during the photo-stress caused by sunlight.
Vitamin C and E
Researchers have found that subjects supplemented with the
antioxidant nutrients Vitamins C and E had levels of these vitamins which were
elevated in skin tissue samples.
Additionally, when researchers exposed the volunteers to UV radiation to
induce sunburn, the combination of C and E together protected the skin and
suppressed the sunburn reaction.
Carotenoids
A number of studies have demonstrated the protective
properties of oral carotenoids showing that sunburn was suppressed
significantly with a combination of carotenoids and vitamin E. Researchers
concluded that the antioxidants provided protection against erythema, or skin
redness, and were effective in diminishing sensitivity to ultraviolet light.
Green Tea
Green tea contains natural antioxidant substances known as
polyphenol epicatechins. Researchers have shown that green tea polyphenols –
taken orally or applied topically – exert protective effects that inhibit
ultraviolet radiation-induced skin tumors. Studies have also shown that green
tea extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity, protecting against
ultraviolet (UV) light-induced skin inflammation.
Antioxidants like green tea, Vitamin C and carotenoids are
just a few of the nutrients that have been shown to shield the skin from UV
radiation and suppress sunburn. Continued intake of antioxidants and
carotenoids, in conjunction with sunscreen and protective clothing, may pay off
in the long run with smoother unblemished skin and reduced risk of developing
skin cancer.
Source: http://www.HealthIsWealth.net
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