Sunshine and Supplements
And our backwards relationship to them
It’s that time of year again, where we can finally put away our winter accessories and start digging out swim suits and sunscreen.
As a pale and freckled adult, I would say I use minimal sunscreen. I try to think logically about things and I don’t believe it makes sense that we need sunscreen whenever we go out in the sun. At least as adults. Traditional sunscreen is also loaded with bad chemicals that are bad for our skin and not great when they get into the water.
There are growing options out there for more natural options of sunscreen. I am here to tell you they work, here’s something I use for me and my children. (Just search natural sunscreen on Amazon, you can find a good variety)
I’ve seen some discussion online about the potential harm in wearing sunglasses and disrupting the bodies natural response process to create melanin, which would in turn increase the likelihood of getting a sunburn. This article suggests that idea to be just a myth. In response, I would say that everyone’s body is different. I spend a lot of time in the sun, specifically not wearing sunglasses, and I rarely get sunburnt without using sunscreen.
One thing I should add is while I may not put on sunscreen initially, I am conscious of how my body is feeling and if I am spending a prolonged amount of time in the sun I will either put on sunscreen or a light long sleeve shirt.
Supplements, where to begin.
The US Supplement market is set to pass 60 billion dollars this year, according to this article. There are stores around specifically to sell supplements and now most grocery stores have whole sections full of various supplements.
How can you even know where to begin?
Let us not forget what the definition of supplement is:
supplement - something that completes or enhances something else when added to itA supplements intention is to fill in a missing piece or build on a balanced eating habits. A supplement in not a solution to fixing bad eating habits, which can be easy to forget. Before worrying about which supplements to take, you should focus on improving any bad eating habits, cutting out processed foods, limiting added sugar intake, getting enough fiber, good fats, and protein.
One thing I have been focused on personally is getting more protein on a daily basis. I’ve looked at various protein powders, and I don’t see a better choice than EQUIP Protein. With more people conscious of ingredients, like we discussed with sunscreen before, there is a growing movement away from traditional ‘Whey Protein’. Equip Protein powder is a base of Beef Protein, free from Whey, Gluten, and Dairy, and is tested for heavy metals.
The reason I focus on protein is because there is discussion and some debate over how much protein you need in a day. I don’t actually count my macros, or count calories, I believe in a more intuitive approach to eating. I don’t find it sustainable to try to count and keep track of what I am eating. To continue the idea from earlier about supplements, if you think you have good eating habits but could benefit from more protein in your day, try out a supplement. Don’t use protein powder as a main source of protein.
We’re not encouraged enough to get out in the sun, and possibly overencouraged and possibly overwhelmed by the amount of supplements we are suggested to take and have available to us.
My advice is to keep it simple. If you’re spending less than an hour in the sun, especially in the morning, keep the sunscreen to a minimum. Focus on supplementing your protein if you think you need it. And once you have that under control, you can start looking at other areas you may need to improve.