So what do we do?

We do need the sun exposure for vitamin D production but how much sun is too much?

Here are some suggestions from US News and World report.

Summer is here!
Let’s go to the beach. Get some suntan. Most of us like to be tan.
It looks good.
But than the controversy.
Too much sun is bad. Is it? How much is too much?
Is it sun tan or sunburn that is bad?
Or maybe the sun screen lotion?
In my opinion in many cases the remedy is creating more problems that it is solving.
Especially for small kids.

BOSTON — A new study shows many sunscreens may not protect your skin, and some are even dangerous to your health.
NewsCenter 5’s Shiba Russell reported that researchers inspecting nearly 800 different brands of sunscreens found that barely one-quarter of them offered adequate sun protection.
According to the Environmental Working Group, more than half of the products they looked at broke down after minutes in the sun, according to a Boston Herald report.
Some products contained questionable substances, such as oxybenzone, which mimics the hormone estrogen which doctors have linked to cancer. Only 13 percent were found to block UVB rays and not UVA rays.
The study only gave three of the top 10 selling brands good ratings and all were for babies. They included the Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF 30/Baby, California Baby Water-Resistant Hypo-Allergenic Sunscreen SPF 30-plus and Aveeno Baby Sunblock Lotion Continuous Protection SPF 55.

Do Chemical Sunscreens Increase Cancer?
Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted  The rise in melanoma has been exceptionally high in Queensland, Australia  where the medical establishment has vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens. Queensland now has more incidences of melanoma per capita than any other place on Earth. (Garland, Cedric F., et al. Could sunscreens increase melanoma risk? American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 82, No. 4, April 1992, pp. 614-15).

Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh in California believes that the use of sunscreens causes more cancer deaths than it prevents. He estimates that the 17% increase in breast cancer observed between 1981 and 1992 may be the result of the pervasive use of sunscreens over the past decade (Ainsleigh, H. Gordon. Beneficial effects of sun exposure on cancer mortality. Preventive Medicine, Vol. 22, February 1993, pp. 132-40). Recent studies have also shown a higher rate of melanoma among men who regularly use sunscreens and a higher rate of basal cell carcinoma among women using sunscreens (Garland, Cedric F. et al. Effect of sunscreens on UV radiation-induced enhancement of melanoma growth in mice. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 86, No. 10, May 18, 1994, pp. 798-801 :Larsen, H.R. “Sunscreens: do they cause skin cancer.” International Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 1994; 12(12): 17-19; Farmer K.C. & Naylor, M.F. “Sun exposure, sunscreens, and skin cancer prevention: a year-round concern.” Ann Pharmacother, 1996; 30(6):662-73)
So the short answer-nobody knows for sure. Unfortunately.

Some creams promising to lighten skin, eliminate age spots and zap freckles contain high levels of mercury, a toxic metal that can cause severe health problems, a Tribune investigation has found.

The newspaper sent 50 skin-lightening creams to a certified lab for testing, most of them bought in Chicago stores and a few ordered online. Six were found to contain amounts of mercury banned by federal law.

Of those, five had more than 6,000 parts per million — enough to potentially cause kidney damage over time, according to a medical expert.

The market for skin lighteners is booming in the U.S. and abroad. Some people of Asian, Hispanic and African heritage use the creams because lighter skin is often considered a status symbol in their cultures. Many consumers, including Caucasians, use the creams to diminish age spots or to even out skin tone, while others want to lighten their entire face or bodies.

Sales of lightening products in the U.S. are expected to increase nearly 18 percent by 2015, reaching $76 million annually, according to market researcher Global Industry Analysts.

Consumers can’t know for sure which creams are tainted. Stores across the city sell dozens of brands, many of them made overseas. The six creams that tested high in the Tribune tests were manufactured in Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan.

The creams were bought at a variety of stores: a large beauty-supply store in the Uptown neighborhood, an herbal medicine shop in Chinatown, an East Indian beauty salon on Devon Avenue, a grocery store also on Devon, and a small African shop on 79th Street.

Researchers say people are affected differently by mercury, depending on the amount and duration of exposure, among other variables. Daniel Hryhorczuk of the University of Illinois School of Public Health said the amounts of mercury found by the Tribune were troubling and could lead to kidney damage at the least.

“Those are very high levels,” he said.

Do you have a choice? Yes! Do your own research. Know what you are buying. Here is one:

Every conventional white cream is in fact an emulsion of water with fatty materials.  Such an emulsion necessarily contains stabilizers and preserving ingredients.Scientists have found new evidence to show you why you should think carefully about using products that contain stabilizers and preserving ingredients.The products we suggest contain exclusively edible ingredients, of vegetal origin.  They contain no preserving ingredients, artificial fragrances or solvents. 

Salba is a grayish-white seed new to the U.S., but it’s been around a long time. There are many reasons why I consider it a super nutritional star for women’s hormonal health. It has the highest known whole-food source of omega-3 fatty acids found anywhere in nature. It contains a perfect 1:4 ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s. That ideal ratio is required for optimal health and hormones: regulating heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, immune support, and reduction of inflammation. Inflammation is now understood to play a major role in chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Inflammation is also a factor in many women’s hormonal issues, such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMS, fibroids, and fibrocystic breasts. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids reduces your risk of breast cancer. Salba also has the highest fiber content of any food; insoluble fiber is important for hormone balance. It helps to decrease estrogen overload by binding to the extra estrogen in the digestive tract. This extra estrogen is later eliminated from the body through the feces.

What vitamins and minerals are most women lacking?
In general, women are really deficient in minerals. Most women need to supplement with magnesium, selenium, chromium, and iodine. Our endocrine glands need these minerals. In the vitamin department, women (and men) are generally very deficient in vitamin D. This vitamin, which is really a hormone, is critical for immune support, cancer prevention, preventing depression, and even preventing Alzheimer’s.

It seems that Americans are looking for a SUPER food or supplement to fix their health problem.
Great. At least we are looking.
But why not to take care of your health while you are still healthy?
What is wrong with prevention?
Good supplements will certainly help.
But it is not enough!
Get your butt of the couch. Don’t pig out. Forget fast food joints.
Educate yourself about chemicals in your life.
And finally take your supplements if you like.

Filtered water

Reporter
msnbc.com
It is hard to argue the fact that waste management has become a large problem in the world, with landfills growing to enormous sizes and recycling rates remaining dismally low. The number of plastic bottles produced by the bottled water industry and subsequently discarded by consumers has only exacerbated this problem.

According to a 2001 report of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), roughly 1.5 million tons of plastic are expended in the bottling of 89 billion liters of water each year.

Besides the sheer number of plastic bottles produced each year, the energy required to manufacture and transport these bottles to market severely drains limited fossil fuels. Bottled water companies, due to their unregulated use of valuable resources and their production of billions of plastic bottles have presented a significant strain on the environment.

The authors of the WWF report suggested that water bottles be washed and reused in order to lessen their negative impact on the environment.
Unfortunately, reusing plastic bottles further compromises the quality of the water, due to the fact that more and more phthalate leaches its way into the water as the bottle gets older. In another suggestion, the authors recommended that bottled water companies use local bottling facilities in order to lessen fuel expenditures for transportation needs.
Regrettably, local bottling further compromises water quality due to the reduced health standards for in-state bottled water production and consumption. It seems there is no feasible solution to this problem. The bottled water industry causes a severe strain on the environment, but solutions to this environmental damage significantly lessen the quality of water in the bottles.
Bottled water, due to several factors, is clearly not a healthier or purer alternative to tap water. Also, bottled water is outrageously expensive when compared to the cost per gallon of tap water. If one is choosing only between tap water and bottled water, tap water is plainly the more economical, and, in many cases, the healthier choice. Despite this assertion, tap water does not remain without its problems.
The concerns over the quality and safety of tap water that sparked the growth of the bottled water industry are still entirely present.
Tap water is nowhere near free from dangerous contaminants.
The most recent and innovative solution to the problems of low water quality has come about in the age of water filters.
Water filters currently provide the best and healthiest solution to the problems of both bottled water and tap water. 

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Nail fungal infection

An infection of nail fungus occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges — an unsightly and potentially painful problem.

You may have a nail fungal infection — also called onychomycosis (on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis) — if one or more of your nails are:

• Thickened
• Brittle, crumbly or ragged
• Distorted in shape
• Dull, with no luster or shine
• A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail

Infected nails also may separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. You may feel pain in your toes or fingertips and detect a slightly foul odor.

There is 100% organic treatment that is highly effective. No side effects.

Also in case I get heartburn I drink 2 oz of Aloe Vera juice. In 5-10 minutes the heartburn is gone!

By Mayo Clinic staff

You’re in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one hand, you’re holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple. In your other hand, you have one that’s labeled organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.
The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a label that says “USDA Organic.” Does that mean it’s better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and nonorganic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the supermarket.
Conventional vs. organic farmingThe word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don’t use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

 What is the Gene SNP DNA Analysis?The Gene SNP DNA Analysis is a comprehensive kit that provides a laboratory analysis of specific gene variants in your genetic material (DNA) that have been found to influence health and an Online Customer Profile survey that provides valuable information about various lifestyle habits that relate to the gene variants being tested. These two pieces of information are then analyzed together to provide you with a personalized Health Action Plan outlining diet, nutrition, exercise and supplementation recommendations.The Gene SNP DNA Analysis combines your individual diet, lifestyle and environment information and is scientifically merged with your genetic background to provide an exclusive Health Action Plan designed specifically for you. It will help provide practical suggestions intended to promote your health and wellness. Based on variations in your DNA and lifestyle factors, the Gene SNP DNA Analysis will make recommendations based on how your body metabolizes food, utilizes nutrients, removes toxins and responds to physical activity. By understanding how your genetic profile affects your well-being, the Gene SNP DNA Analysis will help you take charge of optimizing your wellness. The Gene SNP DNA Analysis examines a wide variety of genes and SNPs, providing a customized Health Action plan that focuses on diet, nutrition, exercise and supplementation based on your genetic profile.