From One Sun Lover to Another- Part 2

In my last post I said that I would share some interesting new research I've read on skin cancer prevention, but first I want to pose a question.  Have you ever wondered why it is that sunscreen is promoted now more than ever and skin cancer incidence is rising?  I know that some say it's because the ozone is being depleted so the sun's rays reaching Earth are stronger now, but I have wondered whether the incidence is growing right along with obesity, chronic disease, and other types of cancer.  I can't answer my own question definitively, but I can say that there is mounting evidence that diet plays a powerful part in promoting or preventing obesity, chronic disease, and other types of cancer, so I don't know why skin cancer would be different.  

Then I started searching for research connecting diet and skin cancer in any way.  There's not a lot, but the following summarizes what I've found.  The way I look at it, it might not be backed by concrete evidence yet, but why not adopt it in addition to the standard prevention tips such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds, etc.?

There is fairly new research indicating that some foods have sun protective properties.  The most beneficial foods are ones with a high content of omega 3-fatty acids and antioxidants, which is achieved easily through adapting an anti-inflammatory or Mediterranean diet.  Here is a non-exclusive list of foods that reportedly contain high levels of omega 3-fatty acids and antioxidants:

• Red, pink, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables
• Leafy green vegetables
• Blue and purple berries
• Wild-caught salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout, and herring
• Brazil nuts
• Turmeric
• Green tea (avoid bottled green tea containing natural or artificial sweeteners)

This is exciting news to me!  Hopefully more research will be done on this topic.  Be safe in the sun, and enjoy these foods frequently to increase sun protection from the inside out.

Follow the links below for more information on the research, diets, and skin cancer.

General information about skin cancer

Mediterranean Diet Basics

Anti-inflammatory Diet Basics

Study 1

Study 2

News Article