Olive Oil Sun Protection

Japanese scientists found that applying Extra Virgin Olive Oil as an after-sun lotion slows tumor growth in mice as reported in New Scientist Magazine.

Olive oil sun protection is a misleading phrase. Olive oil doesn't protect against skin damage caused by the sun, but it does go to work repairing damaged skin and protecting against skin cancer.

Ultra violet rays as well as cigarette smoke, pollution and alcohol create free radicals that cause damage to our cells. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenols are abundant in olive oil and known to clean up or neutralize those free radicals.

Masamitsu and his colleagues from Kobe University School of Medicine gave hairless mice three UV sessions per week. Five minutes after each session, they applied either regular or extra virgin olive oil to the skin of the mice.

After 18 weeks, the mice that had no oil or regular olive oil were growing skin tumors. But, the mice that were treated with extra virgin olive oil took six more weeks to show any signs of tumors - the tumors were smaller, less frequent and there was less DNA damage to the skin cells.

I don't believe there is such a thing as a safe sunscreen. I learned from the folks at Terressential.com that there are companies out there that make sunscreens and call them organic, but they contain synthetic chemicals.

But what about natural sun blocking minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, aren't they safe?

The truth is both chemical sunscreens and physical sun blocks like zinc oxide create free radicals when exposed to sunlight. Those free radicals are what cause skin cancer. You did read that right. The sunscreens themselves cause free radicals when exposed to sunlight. So, you may as well have taken your chances with the sun itself causing that same damage.

According to their research, Terressentials concluded that sunscreen give us a false sense of security. They may prevent sunburns, but they do little or nothing to prevent skin cancer or aging of the skin caused by sunlight.

There is substantial evidence that there is an increase in cancer when sunscreen products are used.

You can't and shouldn't stay out of the sun at all times. We need some direct sunlight for our bodies to produce vitamin D. It is impossible to get enough vitamin D from food sources. Sunscreens block the rays that our skin needs to produce vitamin D and there has been a substantial rise in diseases related to its deficiency. The worst time to be out in the sun is between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, so....

- Plan your outdoor activities for morning, late afternoon or evening.

- When you are in the sun during those hours, cover up with some light, loose clothing or stay in the shade as much as possible.

- Use olive oil and shea butter to feed your skin and keep those free radicals under control.

P.S. - I buy my shea butter at UnrefinedSheaButter.com. It's fresh, smooth, inexpensive and I love the mild nutty liquorice scent. I've paid $10.00 for a 4 oz container of unrefined shea butter that was grey, grainy and smelled terrible! The two products can't even be compared. Oh, and I can buy four times that amount here (1 pound) for less than $10.00.

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Hydrogenated Oil and Trans-Fats

Hydrogenated fats are found in many foods. That?s why I say it?s the most difficult fat to avoid, but it?s definitely the most important one to avoid. I used margarine for years and was totally oblivious to the fact that it was harmful to my health.

My motivating factor back then was price and it?s so much cheaper than butter. These days, I use olive oil whenever I can, mix it with butter, or just use butter. The thing is, hydrogenated fat (trans-fats or trans-fatty acids) is hidden in a lot of foods and if you?re not a label reader, you may be totally unaware of how much you?re consuming. If you read through the list of ingredients on a package, you may not see ?trans-fat? or ?trans-fatty acids? but you may see ?hydrogenated? or ?partially hydrogenated?.

New laws are requiring that the amount of trans-fatty acids be included in the nutrition facts on packaged foods, but be careful here. The USDA allows for a claim of "0 trans fat" if the serving size contains less than .5 grams. Fair enough, but check out the serving size. Some manufacturers will define a very small serving size in order to get away with making that claim. Tricky and underhanded if you ask me, but this is the sort of stuff the consumer is up against.

Trans-fats are found naturally in very small amounts in foods like pomegranates, cabbage, peas, meat, and milk, but these are beneficial to health. The concern is it?s use in processed pre-packaged foods including cookies, cakes, crackers, frozen foods, French fries, bread and cooking oils used in restaurants.

Research has linked trans-fats to an increase in coronary heart disease and infertility in women. Other studies show that trans-fats go straight to your middle, another risk factor for heart disease.

Nutritionists at Harvard estimate that replacing partially hydrogenated fats in the American diet with vegetable oils, would prevent at least 30,000 and possibly as many as 100,000 premature coronary deaths a year. That?s substantial and enough to make me think twice before I buy a box of snack crackers or use margarine in my favorite cookie recipe.

We lead busy lives, and many of us are just looking for simple, quick, and tasty foods. People trust that regulating authorities won?t allow dangerous ingredients or chemicals in consumer products, but they do and it?s up to us to be informed and aware so we can make wise and healthy decisions. Stay away from ?snack? and ?junk? foods and you?ll eliminate a lot of trans-fat. Not to mention sodium, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, etc found in these foods. Is the convenience really worth the long term sacrifice?

return from hydrogenated oil and trans-fats to Amazing Olive Oil home

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