06.15.08
Natural Sun Protection–why the “pil” may not be enough
A natural sun defense pill is being released by a Florida-based company. The dietary supplement is designed to protect the skin against UVA and UVB damage. Not intended to replace sunscreen lotions, its purpose is to provide an extra layer of protection internally.
The SunPill’s two active ingredients are astaxanthin (a carotenoid found in microalgae) and polypodium leucotomos (a fern extract).
Another biotech company is on the verge of releasing a pill containing lycopene, yet another high-powered beta carotene with significant anti-oxidant properties. This company is also promoting its supplement as providing an additional level rather than acting as a replacement.
Whether one decides to go the extra mile or not with dietary supplementation bear in mind that these anti-oxidants and beta carotenes also provide protection when applied topically, though studies are unclear on exactly how much protection is provided whether taken internally or applied externally, or even if the user does both.
Why anti-oxidants protect
UV radiation can lead to photochemical reactions, and the photochemical reaction products then intervene in skin metabolism. Such photochemical reaction products are chiefly free-radical compounds, for example hydroxyl radicals. Undefined free-radical photo-products which are formed in the skin itself can also show uncontrolled secondary reactions because of their high reactivity. UV radiation is furthermore counted among ionizing radiation. There is therefore the risk of ionic species also being formed during UV exposure, which then in turn are capable of intervening oxidatively in biochemical processes. Anti-oxidants scoop up these free radicals, thus preventing skin damage at the level of biochemical activity..
Sun protection at the surface
UVA rays can cause reactions on photosensitive skin. It has been proven that UVA radiation leads to damage to the elastic and collagenic fibres of connective tissue, which causes the skin to age prematurely, and that it is to be regarded as a cause of numerous phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions. The damaging influence of UVB radiation may be intensified by UVA radiation. The best way to protect against this type of damage is with a mineral sunblock that reflects the UVA rays at the surface of the skin, before they can penetrate and do damage. Chemical sunscreens may actually generate free radicals upon exposure to UV, which rather defeats the purpose of wearing sunscreen. Zinc oxide is safe and non-reactive and your best bet.
For total protection
Clearly, sun protection should be undertaken on two fronts. The best way to ensure as much protection as possible is to use a product containing effective anti-oxidants like Vitamin C and the beta-carotenes, in conjunction with a zinc oxide based product. Marie-Veronique uses the anti-oxidants Polypodium leucomotos, lycopene and astaxanthin as well as Vitamin C, emu oil, marula oil and red raspberry oil in order to provide a full panoply of natural and powerful anti-oxidant sun protection agents. But for complete protection MV also uses zinc oxide, for many tests exist to show that it is safe and non-reactive. It is also the only natural sunblock agent to provide complete UVA protection up to 400 nm.
