About Me

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Birmingham, United Kingdom
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for stopping by. I hope you find it informative, and if there is anything I have missed or you would like me to talk about please drop me a line of suggestion. After seeing a nutritional therapist I decided from the improvement of my own health that I would like to be there in the same way for others, therefore, I studied two degrees; one in Nutritional Therapy and another in Bioscience Nutrition so that i could be equipped to support a number of health conditions. I now work for a supplement company on a clinical team supporting practitioners and keeping upto date with all new scientific information and provide private consultations too aswel as keeping my blog going :)

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Friday 12 July 2013

Summer Sun

Summer Sun
Holiday season is here and whether you are enjoying time at home or away, you may get some exposure to the sun. This week we have tips on how long to stay in the sun to produce the optimum amount of vitamin D, sunscreen choices and the foods you should eat to keep your skin looking youthful.

Family On Beach
A little bit of anything can be good for you
In the UK we get little sunlight which has caused a whole host of health problems due to vitamin D deficiencies. Therefore don’t cover up too much in the sun, everything in moderation. Ideally you should only be out in the sun for 20 minutes on average in hot countries or until your skin begins to go slightly pink.

This is the point where you have produced an adequate amount of vitamin D; anything beyond this and you will most likely burn and cause vitamin D to begin to break down.

Daily amounts of vitamin D recommended by The Department of Health: Pregnant women, people over the age of 65yrs and those that do not get much sunlight – 400iu Babies from 6 months - 5 years- 300-400iu.

Sunscreen choices
Try to use a sun screen that is SPF15 or below as this is less likely to contain sun blocking ingredients that are harmful to the skin such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and PABA - Ingredients which reflect and block UBV light. Also add a couple of drops of vitamin E under your sunscreen to enhance the effect of the SPF.
Woman Applying Lotion

Remember to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially if you are in and out water.

Keeping your skin youthful
Although sunlight is important, it is worthwhile bearing in mind that the sun does reduce antioxidants in the skin which can cause signs of aging. Therefore applying additional antioxidants (vitamins A, C & E) to the skin and consuming them in your diet by eating plenty of vegetables and berries can help support healthy antioxidant levels.

Melanin is the protective pigment in your skin that makes you look brown. To encourage its natural production make sure you have a dietary intake of soy, seeds and copper rich foods such as oysters and chicken.

Amino acid tyrosine can also be effective at helping to produce melanin which we get from foods such as nuts and legumes, including almonds, peanuts and dried beans. Dark leafy vegetables can be helpful, as can avocados, bananas, wholegrain products and chocolate.

Have a healthy week,