Sun & Extreme Heat Protection
Temperatures hit 115 degrees on Saturday and 113 on Sunday this past weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, setting the record for highest temps on the 4th and 5th of June respectively. The sun is one of the seven physical keys to attaining and maintaining our health. However, record breaking heat reminds us that it is also extremely powerful and can be significantly dangerous.
How do you prepare your body for that type of temperature? What should you do if you must be out in the sun?
These are important questions we have to address as we approach the summer months in Arizona.
The sun is necessary to bring us the energy to grow plants and sustain life on earth. It is also important in providing Vitamin D for our body through exposure on our skin. The sun is critical for providing light that impacts our sleep/wake cycles and maintaining the corresponding hormonal balance in our body. The need for this exposure to the sun can be witnessed in the increase of depression and anxiety in areas that have limited amounts of sunlight. The challenge is enjoying the positive aspects of the sun while minimizing the potential dangers.
Record breaking heat reminds us of the power of the sun. The waves of energy coming from the sun create Vitamin D when it hits our skin. With excessive sun exposure to our skin, the damage done can cause cells to mutate into cancerous cells. The common response is to use sunscreen to minimize this exposure. We want to be sure to purchase sunscreen that is going to provide the protection needed while minimizing toxin exposure to our skin.
Which sunscreen is best? Our family typically uses a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 and zinc oxide. There are higher SPF products on the market but there are several reasons why this is not necessarily better. The SPF rating is designed to determine the amount of time you can spend in the sun while the product protects your skin from getting a sun burn. However, there are two main types of rays coming from the sun, Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). UVB rays are mainly responsible for burning our skin and cause non – melanoma skin cancer. UVB rays are designed to be blocked in most sunscreens. Many commercial sunscreens do not have ingredients that are designed to block UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper into our skin and inhibit our immune system, cause harmful free radicals, and increase the risk for developing melanoma. UVA rays are more difficult to block using FDA approved ingredients than UVB rays.
We should not rely solely on sunscreen to protect our skin. The ingredients used in sunscreen can have harmful effects on our health. These toxins can cause inflammation and free radical damage. There are two types of sun protection: chemical & physical. Chemical (or sunscreens such as Avobenzone) types use ingredients that absorb the sun’s rays, while physical (or sunblocks such as zinc oxide & titanium dioxide) repel the sun. The environmental working group has done a great job researching many sunscreen options. They have provided an excellent resource and here is the link to their sunscreen page: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/. Also visit their Skin Deep page to research the safety of skin products and ingredients: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/site/about.php#4. Please post or contact me with any questions you may find after looking at the site.
One way to minimize our potential exposure to toxins found in sunscreen is the use of clothing to protect our skin. The technology applied to clothing has advanced tremendously in the past several years. There are many good shirt and pant options that are designed to keep you cool even in the sun. This innovative technology is applied to swim shirts that can be worn while swimming without the uncomfortable fit from a regular cotton t-shirt. The use of sunglasses and hats to shade our eyes and skin is also important. Sunglasses help to protect our eyes from the same UVA and UVB rays that affect our skin.
How do you prepare for intense heat? That depends on what you plan to do in the heat. If you are an athlete and plan to compete in high heat environments, then it is critical to build your tolerance. We need to have a great deal of respect for extreme temps, recognizing the potential for dehydration and heat stroke. You should initially workout in shorter durations in the heat with frequent water breaks. Be able to rest in the shade and get into a cooler environment as necessary. By doing this you should be able to spend more and more time in the heat and sun as your body adapts to your environment.
When it is time for your event to take place and the temperature is soaring, there are additional steps you should take to protect yourself. Pre-hydration, or drinking more water before an activity in the heat is critical. Pre-hydration should start the day before the event. Once you are feeling thirsty in an athletic event, you are typically reaching a point of dehydration that you will be unable to bring back into balance. Foods can help to provide electrolytes and are important to use as fuel on long days in the heat. Celery and watermelon are excellent for this application. Teams that I coach in the summer months are instructed to bring watermelon, celery, and nut butter to eat between games. I don’t want my players eating foods that will make them sluggish or create an electrolyte imbalance.
In addition to clothing, other ways to protect yourself from the heat and sun include: the use of cooling towels, shade tents (canopy tent), avoiding being out midday, and misters. The key is to stay ahead of any possible dehydration or heat stroke issues. By properly preparing for the heat and acclimating your body to the higher temperatures you should be able to minimize your health risks. Record setting temperatures are a great reminder to be prepared so you can safely enjoy summer.