Go heavy on the Metals!

Zinc, Zinc, and more Zinc

I'M SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON SUNSCREEN.

The FDA recently changed their guidelines for labeling of sunscreens in the United States and for good reason.  It's not necessarily the brand of sunscreen to be concerned with, but the components.

Myth #1:  Sweat-proof, water-proof, all day protection.  NOT true statements and patients are getting into serious trouble with first and second degree burns on their skin.

Myth #2:  SPF 100 will protect 100% or for 100 minutes.  Nothing is 100% and it depends on your skin type and activity.  If you are in and out of the water or running on the beach, you will need to reapply sooner.

Myth #3:  I am wearing a t-shirt, so I am good.  100% cotton is equivalent to an SPF of 10.  You will still get absorption of UVB through your clothing.  Hence why UPF factor clothing exists.  Sun protection built into the clothing we wear, GENIUS.  Main point to is to make sure you are applying your sunscreen naked.  Don't get into your bathing suit and then apply; you will miss spots.

Myth#4:  Cream and spray are the same.  Pt's get into trouble with aerolsolized sprays, especially when they put them on outside at the beach and the wind is blowing the sunscreen onto the family next to you.  Some sunscreens are thick and white and hard to apply...ding, ding, ding.  There is a reason for that: PROTECTION. The pump sprays are fine.  Some of my favorite sunscreens are show in the picture above.

Myth #5: Chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen are the same.  Zinc oxide 11-12% and titanium dioxide are the physical blockers that will protect much more effectively.  Sunscreens like Avobenzone and Oxybenzone absorb the UV rays and release them.  Zinc and Titanium reflect the UVB so that it can't penetrate the skin at all.  It is difficult to aerosolize the two metals, so most aerosol sprays do not contain the metals (but some are starting too)!!
Patients say "I just burn no matter what I do; I use spf 100 and still burn."  It is probably because their sunscreen brand does not contain Zinc or Titanium, they are using a spray instead of a cream, or they are not reapplying often enough.  Below is a graph showing the superior protection of Zinc to UVB and UVA rays.

photo by Blue Lizard Sunscreen

New reports from the Environmental Working Group have surfaced about the hazards of sunscreen and absorption into the skin could potentially be cancer causing. It would take 277 years of daily sunscreen use to achieve any harmful level of oxybenzone (the sunscreen component tested) in your body. (Schulumpf M, Schmid P, et al. Endocrine Activity and developmental toxicity of cosmetic UV filters-an update. Toxicology 2004; 205: 113-22.)

Amy is going to tell you all the benefits of zinc inside of the body, but my take home point for now is that:

WE KNOW UV RAYS CAN CONTRIBUTE THE RISK OF MELANOMA AND MELANOMA IS A CANCER THAT IS FATAL, SO STICK WITH WHAT WE KNOW AND USE SUNSCREEN.  STUDIES HAVE PROVEN THAT SUNSCREEN PREVENTS CANCER.  THE BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.

Let's face it, who is talking about Zinc when we can focus on all those miracle products out there. Most think of zinc as a boost to help the common cold in the form of Lozenges or Zicam and also as a wound healing element in the clinical side of the medical field but there are so many more important functions of Zinc.  I bet you are shocked to know that Zinc can treat symptoms of night blindness and cataracts, Diabetes, Asthma and many skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. 

There is also lots of compelling research that proves zinc can be used as treatment for ADHD, bland taste buds, promoting weight gain in Anorexia Nervosa patients, Alzheimers, and Irritable Bowel Disease.   I am not one to recommend supplements when not needed as it just creates expensive urine, so let's talk about deficiency symptoms.     
                                                                                                                                                                
If you routinely suffer from low Insulin levels, loss of appetite, irritability, generalized hair loss, dry skin, dermatitis, poor sense of taste and smell, diarrhea, and nausea you could not be consuming or absorbing the amount of Zinc your body needs to function.  Although the symptoms above can also be caused by other circumstances, I have recently decided to recommend Zn checks on all of my picky eaters (super tasters/smellers), Anorexia Nervosa patients, and IBD clients. The research is that impressive, and it takes a lot to impress me with what's printed these days.                                                        

I will always promote getting your vitamins and minerals from whole foods so consume these:

meats
seafood
dairy products
nuts
legumes
whole grains                                                                                            

If you feel like you are at risk of a zinc deficiency because you don't eat much of above, don't worry. Zinc is a trace element so we need very little of it, BUT if you consistently have some of the symptoms I discussed above, talk to your provider or work with a dietitian. I'm not a fan of supplementing on your own.     
                                                                                                               
My thoughts on Zinc: If you are a picky eater or have a picky eater who may be a super taster or smeller, if you are suffering from Anorexia Nervosa or ADHD, and if you suffer from chronic diarrhea, look at your diet, pay attention to your symptoms, and treat in conjunction with your provider.

Pair that symptom relief with Cancer prevention and you've got a home run!

              
In Good Health,

Amy and Kris