Supplements may increase sensitivity to the sun
June 2007 Filed in: Supplements
If you take supplements such as glucosamine, Vitamin
B6 and St John’s Wort you may be more sensitive
to the sun.
For some of us, summer represents an opportunity to make the most of being outside and enjoying the sun. However, most of us do not consider the impact of taking particular supplements which may have an impact on our skin’s sensitivity to the potential damage that the sun can cause.
Herbs and supplements that may make individuals more sensitive to the sun include: alfalfa, ambrette, belladonna, bitter orange, cashew, chlorella, chlorophyll, chondroitin sulfate, dong quai, fennel, feverfew, glucosamine, lavender, lime, oak moss, riboflavin, shiitake, St. John's wort and vitamin B6. For more information on the interactions associated with these, please visit Natural Standard's Interactions Checker.
Integrative therapies studied for sunburn protection include beta-carotene, green tea, lutein, lycopene, pycnogenol and selenium. Beta-carotene, a highly pigmented, fat-soluble compound naturally present in many fruits, grains, oil and vegetables (green plants, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, and green peppers), has the strongest scientific evidence in the prevention of sun damage. However, for the best chance of protection, experts recommend wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15, wearing protective clothing and staying out of the sun when it is at its strongest between 11am – 3pm.
For some of us, summer represents an opportunity to make the most of being outside and enjoying the sun. However, most of us do not consider the impact of taking particular supplements which may have an impact on our skin’s sensitivity to the potential damage that the sun can cause.
Herbs and supplements that may make individuals more sensitive to the sun include: alfalfa, ambrette, belladonna, bitter orange, cashew, chlorella, chlorophyll, chondroitin sulfate, dong quai, fennel, feverfew, glucosamine, lavender, lime, oak moss, riboflavin, shiitake, St. John's wort and vitamin B6. For more information on the interactions associated with these, please visit Natural Standard's Interactions Checker.
Integrative therapies studied for sunburn protection include beta-carotene, green tea, lutein, lycopene, pycnogenol and selenium. Beta-carotene, a highly pigmented, fat-soluble compound naturally present in many fruits, grains, oil and vegetables (green plants, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, apricots, and green peppers), has the strongest scientific evidence in the prevention of sun damage. However, for the best chance of protection, experts recommend wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15, wearing protective clothing and staying out of the sun when it is at its strongest between 11am – 3pm.