Wellness article index >> Foods for Sun Worshippers "Eating your vegetables and fruit every day will go a long way to inhibiting damage to your skin from the sun," says Chicago doctor, Cindy Schweitzer at the 12th International Carotenoid Symposium in Cairns this week organized by the International Carotenoid Society. There is good evidence that carotenoids offer some protection from sunlight in animals, plants and in bacteria. The first evidence that a similar protection was available to humans was discovered many years ago, with people with a rare genetic disorder called EPP. These people suffer extreme burning sensations and blistering of the skin after a very short period of time in sunlight. Doses of 25 - 30 mg of beta-carotene were taken every day for eight weeks and carried by the bloodstream to the skin where a build up in the fat layers of the skin was shown to have modest protection against the sun. In a recent placebo, double blind study in Berlin, participants received 30 mg of beta- carotene for ten weeks and were moved to the Red Sea in Israel for the remainder of the study. Participants were exposed to a constant source of natural sunlight in identical swimsuits with cut out patches. Skin areas under some of the patches were either unprotected or covered with sunscreen. The evaluation process through skin biopsies determined that those taking beta-carotene did not turn red or burn as quickly when exposed to sunlight. These findings have been supported by other studies done in Germany. Another positive reason why we should be eating our greens, yellow, orange and red vegetables and fruits every day, especially under the summer sun. Society President, Dr. George Britton from Liverpool, says "there are more than 80 - 100 naturally occurring carotenoids in food, of which 30 are absorbed in reasonable amounts. There are reports that in addition to their antioxidant properties, they enhance the immune system and may influence gene expression and cell to cell communication." For more information on the 12th International Carotenoid Symposium & Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia, visit their website at: www.carotenoid.uconn.edu/cairns http://www.alternativemedicine.com Wellness article index >> News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.