Sunblock Safety - It's June! The sun is shining and warm, and we are finally allowed out- the bea
ch awaits us. But beware, most conventional sunscreens have endocrine-disrupting chemicals in them. Some ingredients to avoid are oxybenzone, avobenzone and propylene glycol otherwise known as polyethylene glycol (PEG) which are absorbed through our skin and can cause disruption of hormones as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and brain.
Instead of chemical laden sunscreens, try mineral sunblocks that contain zinc oxide. Sunblocks with zinc create a barrier to protect your skin from the sun. Because sunblocks with zinc oxide are a physical barrier to sun, they tend to have a thicker consistency. Tip: you can use tinted versions to match your skin tone if you are worried about looking ‘pasty.’ Make sure to use an SPF between 30 and 50; anything higher than that does not provide more protection. A good resource for finding body and environment safe sunscreen is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database, which you can find online.
Get a Great Gut - Have you ever considered your health at a cellular level? It is hard to even conceive of how tiny the building blocks of our bodies and health truly are.
For instance, did you know that, on average, the human body is made up of about 30 trillion cells and an almost equal number of microbes!
The total count of bacteria, viruses and fungi housed in your body totals a combined weight of almost half a pound! Imagine holding a half-pound ball of bacteria and viruses in your hand. While that may be uncomfortable to imagine, these microbes are crucial to the functioning of our body where they are mostly found on mucous membranes (inside your mouth, intestines, nasal cavity, etc.). Some of their many functions include control of brain function, influencing the immune system and digesting fiber.
While the total number of microbes in the body may seem startling it is important to note that it is the composition of the microbes present that contributes to optimal health. An imbalance of beneficial and pathogenic microbes can be an important contributing factor to disease. When imbalance is present in the gut, it is called “gut dybiosis”and can cause a vast range of symptoms from brain fog and joint pain to constipation and diarrhea.
The good news is that there are many ways to re-balance and optimize your gut balance… 1) Probiotic supplementation 2) Dietary changes 3) Address underlying disease conditions
By working with a holistic medicine professional, you can find your way back to feeling your best again!
Written by Dr. Krista Imre ND (Sunblock Safety) & Dr. Adam Dombrowski (Get a Great Gut) Reference- Ron Sender, Shai Fuchs, Ron Milo. Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body. PLoS Biol. 2016 Aug; 14(8): e1002533. Published online 2016 Aug 19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533. Naturopathic medicine addresses the root cause of illness rather than the mere suppression of symptoms. To learn more or schedule an appointment call Nature Medicine Clinic at 732.305.8745 or visit naturemedicineclinic.com.
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