Don’t worry, as your natural health and wellness resource, we’ve got you covered. Here are some ways you can protect yourself against skin cancer without subjecting yourself to harmful ingredients.

Avoid chemicals. When you’re loading up on commercial sunscreen, your body takes in chemicals that worry many health experts—and shockingly, some may even increase the risks of cancer. Oxybenzone, found in many sunblocks, is known to disrupt the human hormonal system and has been linked to cancer in some studies. Lab research has shown that retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A found in commercial sunscreens, may increase skin cancer risk when exposed to the sun.

Search the EWG’s list. The EWG puts out a Guide to Sunscreens each year, which makes it easy to select the safest products. There is a wealth of information on their site, guaranteed to send you in the right direction. Visit the site: www.ewg.org/sunscreen.

Dress appropriately during long periods of exposure. While a small amount of exposure—15 to 20 minutes—is beneficial, too much can be dangerous. Avoid sun damage when exposed for long periods by covering your head with a hat and your body with regular or sun-protective clothing. The sun’s rays can still penetrate through non-UV treated clothing, but at a much lower rate.

Use zinc oxide. Lifeguards use this on their noses for a reason! Zinc oxide, in its natural form, is a safe and effective sunblock product.  Widely available at pharmacies and health food stores, mix zinc oxide with your favorite organic body lotion for an alternative to commercial sunscreens.

Eat your greens. Green leafy vegetables are great additions to our diets for many reasons, including the fact that they’re chock full of carotenoids. This antioxidant prevents sunburn and stress that can lead to the development of melanomas.

Go red! Lycopene, found in watermelon and tomatoes, is a natural sunburn protector. When tomato paste was mixed with olive oil for absorption, eating this combination reduced sunburn in participants by 41 percent in a German research study.

The post Avoiding Skin Cancer: How to Find Natural Alternatives to Sunscreen first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

The temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer. It′s summertime once again. Here are some tips to help you stay safe in the heat and make your summer the best, and healthiest, one yet.

Beat the Heat

Heat-related illnesses claim the lives of hundreds of people each year, so it is important to take these precautions when working or playing outside during the hot summer months.

• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages;  You should strive for at least 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color;  When in doubt, live by the saying “Suns out, Guns out!”
• Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day.

Grill and Chill

Whether you prefer burgers off the grill or a picnic in the park, one thing you don’t want on the menu this summer is a food-borne illness. Take these steps to help keep germs at bay.

• Wash your hands before and after handling food.
• When taking foods off the grill, do not put cooked food items back on the same plate that previously held raw food.
• When grilling foods, preheat the coals on your grill for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the coals are lightly coated with ash.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
• Never let raw meat, cooked food or cut fresh fruits or vegetables sit at room temperature for more than two hours before putting them in the cooler or refrigerator (one hour when the temperature is above 90°F).
• Make sure to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs in your cooler to ensure a constant cold temperature.  You don’t want that potato salad getting warm, trust me.

Fun in the Sun

Your summer plans may include hitting the beach or just spending more time outdoors. Make sure you plan to avoid sunburn, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.  Vitamin D is very important but doesn’t go overboard.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best.  Just keep an eye on the heat.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.  I’m a fan of getting some sun first, but try to avoid getting burnt.  Also, read up on the sunscreens before application.  Not all lotions are good for the skin and try to avoid the aerosol at all costs.

Swim Safe

Swimming is a fun way to stay cool and be active. Before diving in, make sure you know these tips for staying healthy and safe while swimming.

• Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in your mouth.  That’s just nasty!!
• Shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
• Keep an eye on children at all times. Kids can drown in seconds and in silence.  Trust me, I used to be a lifeguard 🙂
• Never swim alone or in unsupervised locations. Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
• Don’t use air-filled swimming aids (such as “water wings”) with children in place of life jackets or life preservers.  Look into “puddle jumpers for little ones”

Here’s the thing… we like you and want to keep you around.  We want you to enjoy the summer but stay safe so you can enjoy it for years to come.  As always, we are here if you have any questions or would like to discuss your current state of health.  We are easily reached at 918-940-4630.  Thank you for allowing us to be your chiropractor.

The post How Can I Stay Safe in the Heat? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.