Sun Safety Beyond Sunscreen

☀️ Do you ever wonder if there’s anything more you can do besides wear sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer?

You’re in luck because a new study suggests there may be!

The study involved 498 people who had an increased risk of skin cancer. They were categorized by their use of vitamin D supplements as non-users, occasional users, or regular users.

Here’s what they found:

☀️☀️☀️ The risk for melanoma was reduced by more than HALF in the group who regularly took vitamin D supplements (compared to non-users).

Unfortunately, the study only looked at the association between supplementation and skin cancer but did not evaluate an optimal dose.

Questions about vitamin D? Drop them below

Reference

Kanasuo E, Siiskonen H, Haimakainen S, Komulainen J, Harvima IT. Regular use of vitamin D supplement is associated with fewer melanoma cases compared to non-use: a cross-sectional study in 498 adult subjects at risk of skin cancers [published online ahead of print, 2022 Dec 28]. Melanoma Res. 2022. [link]

Is There a Supplement to Support Dopamine?

🤷‍♀️ Is there a supplement to support dopamine?

Dopamine is the brain chemical that gives us a sense of pleasure and drives motivation and reward. 

Some people might think that boosting dopamine is only a good thing, but not so fast. 

There are helpful ways to trigger dopamine release—like meditation, listening to music, or going outside in the sun. 

But there are also harmful ways to trigger dopamine release—like drinking alcohol, gambling, or binge eating. Over time, addictive behaviors can alter how your brain responds to dopamine. 

So where do supplements fall on the spectrum of helpful to harmful? 

Let’s look at the potential pros and cons. 

Supplements that support dopamine may also support:

🔸 Energy

🔸 Focus

🔸 Learning

🔸 Mood

🔸 Libido

BUT too much dopamine may also come with some risks:

🔹 Impulsivity

🔹 Thrill Seeking

🔹 Tolerance (less response to dopamine over time)

If supplements that support dopamine are used unnecessarily, in too high amounts, or for too long, they could end up making the problem worse over time. 

One supplement you may have heard called the “dopa bean” is Macuna pruriens. It has been used as part of the Ayurvedic tradition for centuries, but it does contain l-dopa, which is the precursor to dopamine. 

Be cautious and aware if ever choosing new supplements on your own. While most are safe, it’s always best to consult with a health practitioner who understands natural supplements. 

This is our specialty. 

Drop me your favorite emoji if you learned something from this post. 

The Forgotten Vitamin...

B vitamins don’t get a lot of attention, but they are soooooo important for health. The entire family of B complex vitamins work synergistically together, but each has their own special function. 

One of my favorites? 

✨ Vitamin B6 ✨ 

Our bodies cannot make vitamin B6, so we need to get it from foods. It is water-soluble, meaning that we don’t store it and need to consume it regularly. 

Here are 5 health benefits of vitamin B6:

1️⃣ Mood Support

Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for enzymes needed to make neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood—including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. 

2️⃣ Healthy Periods

Vitamin B6 plays a role in estrogen metabolism and has been shown to reduce some common issues related to PMS—like irritability and anxiousness. 

3️⃣ Morning Sickness

Possibly because of its role in estrogen metabolism, vitamin B6 can be helpful for women struggling with nausea during pregnancy. 

4️⃣ Sleep Support

Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of serotonin, which then converts into melatonin to support sleep. 

5️⃣ Brain & Heart Health

Vitamin B6 is one of three key vitamins (along with B12 and folate) that influence homocysteine metabolism. Keeping homocysteine levels in check plays a role in maintaining brain health and cardiovascular health with age. 

Usually vitamin B6 is taken in combination with other B vitamins, but there are times when supplementing it alone is best. Vitamin B6 also works synergistically with magnesium for many body processes (so they are great to take together!). 

🩺 Please talk with us or another qualified healthcare provider to figure out a supplement plan that will work for you.