Why spirulina and chlorella are great for summer. What are the benefits of using algae as you soak up the benefits of sunlight for the summer?

Summer is in full swing, which means enjoying time in the sun and soaking up your vitamin D. Sun exposure isn’t all good or bad–the right dose provides numerous benefits, but too much can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer [1]. However, many sunscreens out there are harmful and may even pose a cancer risk of their own. 

In this article, we cover a more balanced view of sun exposure, and how algae tablets can help you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risk naturally.

Health Benefits of Sunlight and Algae Tablets: The Synergistic Duo

 

Sun exposure is all about balance since it’s the small amount of stressor that delivers many health benefits. Getting the right dose depends on your skin tone. Darker skin shades rarely burn and need a lot more sun to produce enough vitamin D, whereas fair skin tones may need to constantly worry about the UV index and sunscreen. 

1) Energy boost

Do you notice that you have more energy in the summer than the gloomy rainy days or during colder months? Aside from providing vitamin D, sunlight wakes your body up. What you see as white light actually consists of the full rainbow spectrum, along with ultraviolet (UV) and infrared. The blue spectrum in sunlight tells your body it’s daytime, whereas the red and infrared stimulate your mitochondria – your cells’ main energy factories [2]. This mitochondrial stimulation may even stimulate some regenerative and healing processes, especially in the skin [3].

Even more interesting is that the light-harvesting pigment from chlorophyll in algae tablets may boost the sun’s energizing benefits. When researchers added a chlorophyll component called pyropheophorbide-a (p-a) to mammalian liver and brain cells, light exposure enhanced mitochondrial energy production in these cells [4]. Other studies also suggest that natural p-a is easily absorbed through the bloodstream, making foods like spirulina and chlorella amazing energy boosts for the summer [5]. 

 

2) Vitamin D levels 

About 42% of US adults and 50% of US children are deficient in vitamin D [6]. Up to 82% of Americans with darker complexions may have low vitamin D levels due to insufficient sun exposure. Typically, normal sun exposure combined with fortified foods might be enough to prevent rickets, but not to bring your vitamin D into optimal levels for your immune system, metabolism, mood, hormones, and much more.

What does it mean to get enough vitamin D from the sun? Researchers estimate that in temperate climates like the US or the UK, you need at least a third of your skin exposed to the midday sun for 10 - 30 minutes daily [7]. This typically means walking from your car to your office and back in your office attire might not be enough. You’ll most likely need to deliberately spend time in the sun with less clothing on. 

Aside from sun on the skin, your body also needs cofactor nutrients like zinc and magnesium to effectively produce vitamin D from the sun. This is why it’s crucial to consume a nutrient-dense diet or add nutritional insurance like ENERGYbits® every day. 

3) Mood boost – serotonin and dopamine

Sun exposure can boost your mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels, which are important for elevating mood. Have you ever wondered why sunny months are generally correlated with happy months?

Human beings prefer to be outside in the daylight and asleep at night. This cycle is controlled by melatonin and serotonin levels in our blood, which can increase with sun exposure through skin receptors [8]. 

By providing a source of tryptophan and tyrosine, algae tablets provide the backbone for these mood-boosting neurotransmitter productions, facilitating the sun’s mental health benefits.

4) Support circulation and heart health

Sunlight on the skin increases nitric oxide in the blood vessel walls. This supports healthy circulation, blood pressure, and stamina [1]. In addition, sunlight provides numerous heart health benefits independent of vitamin D, even though vitamin D also has some cardiovascular benefits [1]. 

About 9 in 10 Americans don’t eat enough vegetables and fruits, so they don’t get enough food-based nitrate to produce nitric oxide. As a source of heart-healthy prebiotics, polyphenols, micronutrients, omega-3, and antioxidants, algae tablets also deliver many heart and metabolic health benefits. More importantly, spirulina in ENERGYbits® provides nitrate, helping with healthy nitric oxide production [9]. These make sun exposure combined with algae tablets a powerful heart health synergy. 

 

Why Sunscreen Is Not Always the Answer

 

Sun exposure is highly beneficial, but you may be concerned about sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. However, chemical sunscreens, especially those with chemical ring structures, can disrupt hormones and harm the environment. 

Chemical sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone (BP-3) and octanoate have been banned in Hawaii and Key West due to their toxic effect on marine life [10]. Oxybenzone can also interfere with estrogen functions [11]. This ingredient, among others approved by the FDA, is banned in the EU.

When searching for sunscreen, look for keywords such as “mineral” and avoid harmful active ingredients such as oxybenzone (BP-3) in the Drug Facts panels behind the bottles.

The FDA approved titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as safer sunscreen ingredients. Still, many allowed skincare ingredients in the US are absorbed through the skin barrier, without sufficient safety research. 

What if mineral sunscreens don’t work for you or make you look ashy? MexorylXL may be a safer chemical option that doesn’t disrupt hormones or harm marine life.

So, how do you get the best of both worlds? Australia has the highest incidences of skin cancer world-wide because of its thinner ozone layer and higher UV index. As a result, the Australian government has well-developed programs against skin cancer. The government recommends [12]: 

• People with the two darkest skin shades don’t need sunscreen but should limit mid-day exposure to 2 hours
• Those with medium-shade skin who can tan without a family history of skin cancer or other risk factors can spend time in the sun enough to get vitamin D, although sunscreen is recommended with UV index over 3.
• Those with fair skin or other risk factors for skin cancers should always wear safe sunscreen or cover up when the UV index is over 3. 

In almost all cases, sun exposure until just before the skin turns red (erythema dose) is safe and does not cause cancer [13]. This varies by the strength of UV radiation, which is invisible to the eyes. Many common weather forecasts also publish UV index and their levels throughout the day, which can help you decide whether to use sunscreen.

Does Algae Help with Sunburn and Potential Sun Exposure Harm? 

 

Aside from boosting the benefits of sunlight exposure, chewing algae tablets may be somewhat helpful as a nutritional sun protection, but it cannot replace sunscreen. However, you also can grind them into a paste to apply as a rejuvenating face mask, especially after sun exposure.

 

 

Whether consumed as a food or applied to the skin, algae tablets provide the following benefits:

Algae provides powerful antioxidants

Food-based antioxidants in chlorella and spirulina can protect your skin from UV exposure [14]. These algae tablets contain astaxanthin along with other carotenoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E. 

Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid commonly found in marine animals and algae. It has ten times the antioxidant power of beta-carotene and 100 times alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) [15]. In a clinical trial, 4mg of astaxanthin increased skin tolerance to the sun and protected the skin from some sun damage [16].

Carotenoids are another antioxidant found in specific algae. Participants consuming high levels of carotenoids showed significantly less UVB-induced skin redness [17]. 

Vitamin E, a popular antioxidant in skin care products used for scar reduction and healing, is also found in specific algae. Vitamin E is found in chlorella and spirulina, both in VITALITYbits®. 

Algae help build skin collagen

Specific algae, such as spirulina found in ENERGYbits®, can increase growth factors that induce collagen production in the skin [18]. Since skin aging is related to collagen breakdown, spirulina can be a helpful supplement to reduce the appearance of aging. In addition, the antioxidant properties protect the collagen fibers in the skin from UV-induced damage.

 

Algae protect cells from UV damage and cell aging 

Algae contain photoprotective substances such as mycosporine-like amino acids, sulfated polysaccharides, carotenoids, and polyphenols. These substances are potentially photoprotective due to UV-absorbing properties [19]. 

Algae supports healthy and even skin pigmentation

Melanin is the pigment that darkens your skin and protects the skin from UV radiation. However, uneven pigmentation like age spots could be an undesirable sign of aging [20]. Some people with lighter complexions may just get pigmented spots in response to the sun rather than tanning.

Certain algae, such as spirulina, can increase melanin in the skin, giving it a nice, healthy glow and tan. Studies suggest that spirulina may inhibit the enzymes that cause the uneven skin pigmentation [21].

Conclusion

Sun exposure can provide numerous health benefits but too much can be harmful. Depending on your skin shade and health risk, you can take a balanced approach to maximize sun benefits while minimizing risk. In all cases, algae tablets like ENERGYbits® are a perfect nutritional companion to reap the sun’s benefits while protecting your skin with natural antioxidants. 

Tags

algae chlorella collagen ENERGYbits skin health spirulina Summer Sun

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