Vitamin D a Potential Remedy for Sunburns: Implications for Skin Cancer Treatment

According to scientists at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, large amounts of Vitamin D could be the solution to the bane of fair-skinned people - red, painful sunburns. People who ingested large quantities of Vitamin D one hour after getting a sunburn felt long-term benefits, which included a substantial reduction in redness, swelling and inflammation. The research was the first-ever study to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of Vitamin D. The study was published in the May edition of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

This research raises the question: Could quickly healing skin result in better protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and, potentially, from getting skin cancer? Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer occuring in the U.S., according to data tracked by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During the study, twenty people received a sunburn utilizing a lamp, then were given a placebo, or varying amounts of Vitamin D. The Vitamin D doses were given in massive amounts ranging anywhere from 12,500% to 50,000% of the recommended daily amount. The people who received the largest amounts of the vitamin experienced the best results.  They had reduced skin irritation within two day and suffered from less redness.

The scientists theorized that the mechanism behind the fast healing is that Vitamin D increases anti-inflammatory enzymes in the epidermis. This enzyme acts to trigger the production of other anti-inflammatory proteins and stimulates repair of tissues.

The health benefits of Vitamin D have been controversial over time. A decade ago, research had linked a deficiency of Vitamin D to both osteoporosis and heart disease. However, more recently, an analysis of forty research studies indicated that healthy individuals were not likely to receive any benefits from taking Vitamin D.

The research is promising, but more, larger studies need to be conducted in order to further explore these early results.

Vitamins and Minerals to Take for Acne

Vitamins and minerals, by themselves, certainly will not completely cure acne, but some of these nutrients are more important in maintaining clear and healthy skin than others.

Acne is, essentially, caused by two primary, related factors: toxicity of the blood and the lymph glands, and a hormonal imbalance, which could potentially be contributed to by nutritional deficiencies or a lack of required vitamins in one's diet.

The following vitamins and minerals are the most important ones for helping to regulate the hormones which produce healthy skin oil, and have the potential in helping to clear acne up.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A bolsters skin tissue and guards against acne. It aids in the lowering of sebum production. Vitamin A is vital for the maintenance and repair of body tissues, of which the skin is composed of. Vitamin A is also a very strong antioxidant which helps the body rid itself of toxins. A severe deficiency of vitamin A can cause acne.

Vitamin B Complex

B vitamins aid in the maintenance of a healthy skin tone. They can also aid in reducing anxiety and stress. Stress could be a major component in causing acne. B vitamins should always be taken together as a complex. Each of the separate B vitamins play a specific role in helping to promote healthy skin and good general health.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which is necessary for around 300 of your body’s metabolic functions, including growth and repair of tissue. Vitamin C helps guard against infections and strengthens the immune system.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another strong antioxidant which promotes healing and tissue repair. It guards against cell damage by disrupting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and inhibits the formation of free radicals.

Chromium

Chromium helps to guard against infections in the skin. To get a sufficient amount of chromium, it can be taken as a supplement called chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate. There is a decent chance that you are already chromium deficient since the type of chromium generally found in foods is not easily digested and absorbed, and much of it is lost during processing.

Zinc

Zinc is another nutrient which promotes tissue healing and guards against scarring. It can aid in the prevention of acne by regulating your oil glands. Zinc contributes to a healthy immune system and the proper healing of wounds. It is also a strong antioxidant that disrupts the formation of free radicals. Acne can sometimes be a symptom of a zinc deficiency.

Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Skin

Your skin is one of the best, and certainly most visible, signs of health. Dry skin, oily skin, papery skin, acne, and redness or ruddiness can all be clear signs of poor health inside your body - usually caused by consuming an unhealthy diet which doesn't include adequate skin-healthy vitamins and minerals. To attempt to treat skin issues, most people will often turn to topical cosmetics, including soaps, creams, scrubs, exfoliants, and toners. However, trying to treat skin blemishes with chemical-laden products does not address the actual, underlying cause of the problem, which is generally poor nutrition and overexposure to poisons and toxins found in food and beauty products.

Research has found that skin reacts especially well to particular vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants that help to strengthen and nourish skin, making it look more young and healthy. Following are some of the best vitamins and minerals for maintaining clear and healthy skin:

Silica is a mineral that helps to make the body's connective tissues stronger and is necessary to keep skin healthy. A deficiency of silica can cause skin to lose its elasticity and can disrupt healing.

Zinc is a vital component for maintaining healthy skin, particularly for those with acne. Acne can actually be a sign of a zinc deficiency. Zinc works by regulating the production of skin oil and hormones that contribute to acne. It is also necessary for healthy functioning of the immune system function.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are excellent for helping to treat dry, inflamed skin and whiteheads and blackheads. Essential Fatty Acids, such as Omega-3s play a vital component in skin repair, moisture content of skin, and elasticity. The body does not make its own essential fatty acids so they have to be obtained via diet.

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant mineral which is responsible for maintaining the elasticity and flexibility of tissues. It also works to guard against cell damage caused by free radicals and has a strong correlation with a lowered risk of breast cancer. It is thought that it might have an important role in the prevention of skin cancer, as it acts to guard the skin from UV damage.

Vitamin C is particularly good for lowering damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals damage and destroy both collagen and elastin - the tissue fibers that form underlying skin structure - and can significantly contribute to the premature formation of wrinkles. It is also a nutrient that is very effective for guarding the skin from sun damage, particularly in conjunction with vitamin E.

Vitamin E is another very strong antioxidant that minimizes the damaging effects of sun to the skin. In conjunction with vitamin A, vitamin E is excellent at acting to guard against particular types of skin cancers. Vitamin E is also widely used to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and, is good for soothing rough, dry skin.