September sees our transition from summer’s carefree days to autumn’s expectations and routine. Why not stretch all the essentials of vitality and well-being we cultivated so naturally in those sunny months into fall and keep the good habits that make life sweeter now, and add to our longevity? Moondust Cosmetics® has some secrets to share based on our holistic approach to beauty and wellness, to carry the essence of summer with you into fall, and to keep your skin glowing and protected, too!
Summer Lifestyle Habits for Fall Health and Longevity
Were there habits that made your summer extraordinary? Did you embrace the outdoors, enjoy physical activities, and savor the simple joys of life and socializing?
Here are 4 categories of habits to infuse energy and well-being into autumn time:
Physical exercise: Don’t let the cooler weather deter you from staying active. Fall offers beautiful opportunities for hiking, brisk walks in the crisp air, or even outdoor yoga sessions amidst the changing leaves.
Balanced nutrition: Continue to nourish your body with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Embrace the bounty of autumn produce and maintain a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
Mental wellness: The tranquility of summer can carry over into fall with mindfulness and stress management. Practice meditation, deep breathing, or even take time for silent reflection amidst the autumn foliage.
Social connections: Cherish the friendships and connections you forged during the summer months. Plan cozy gatherings, nature outings, or simply quality time with loved ones.
Incorporating Healthy Habits into Your Daily Routine
When life gets busy and hectic, try to make small changes with these steps as tips to see impact of the ‘big 4’ categories above in your daily routine:
Make sleep a priority: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to recharge your body and mind.
Enjoy your food and eat well: Fuel your body with a balanced diet rich in whole foods and limit processed foods and sugary drinks.
Be active: Engage in physical activities you enjoy to boost your mood and mental well-being.
Treat yourself to breaks: Schedule short breaks throughout your day to relax and recharge.
Practice mindfulness: Dedicate a few minutes daily to mindful breathing or meditation to reduce stress and enhance mindfulness.
Ideas to connect the social you so that you rejuvenate yourself and grow your social support
Enjoy a hobby: Pick an activity that brings you joy and fulfillment.
Tend to relationships: Spend time with loved ones and build supportive connections.
Feel gratitude, often: Reflect on the positive aspects of life, dailyand how lucky you are to live in a peaceful place.
Know your boundaries: Say no when necessary and prioritize self-care.
Seek sun protection: Stick with your habit of suncare!
Start with one habit at a time, and as they become second nature, watch how they seamlessly integrate into your daily life, enhancing your well-being and longevity.
Science and Sun for Fall Skin Care
Embrace those healthy habits and remember to include sun protection in your fall skincare routine. An article on Autumn Sun, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reminds us that sunburn can occur even during autumn. Researchers found cases of sunburn in dermatology clinics, highlighting the importance of continued sun protection, including sunscreen and protective clothing, throughout the year!
At Moondust Cosmetics, we’re committed to helping you achieve radiant and healthy skin in every season. Stay tuned for our fall skincare tips to protect your skin and encourage your natural luminosity!
Summer days are typically carefree times, yet we are smart to take those easy steps that protect us from damaging UVA/UVB rays and other risks from overexposure. New climate patterns including higher heat have us paying attention. The heat and sun exposure are even more top of mind for the sun sensitive and others whose medication causes photosensitivity. This post is beyond tips on lifestyle hacks like diet, protective clothing and smart use of sun protection. Read on for examples of medications that require you to manage your sun time, mindfully in the heat or bright sun.
There are manycommon drugs to watch out for as far as their impact on anyone, especially older adults. Higher temperatures, basically across the world, affect our body’s ability to cool itself down. Some people are on multiple meds that may interfere with this ability and more body functions.
Moondust Cosmetics has been a source of comfort and safety for the sun sensitive who must work or choose to play outdoors. Even enjoying walks or cycling or sitting inside vehicles near windows is a point of caution for the sun-sensitive and, people recovering from skin cancer or concerned because it is in the family. The website has many posts covering easy lifestyle tweaks and thoughtful use of sun protection creams. Today we continue with heat and meds!
“This issue is particularly important for older people because they tend to be on more medications that alter either the body’s control of circulating blood volume and/or cardiac activity, which can make it harder to deal with the heat,” says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D. and director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City. (For more on the GCCHE, launched in early 2017, after a special session at COP-21 read here:)
“It’s important to pay attention to this often-overlooked side effect during heat waves, which the Environmental Protection Agency (USA) says are increasing in both intensity and frequency. But it’s not just those stifling stretches that can be dangerous. Research shows that older patients with chronic medical conditions who take heat-sensitive medications can have medication-related problems throughout the entire summer.”
5 drugs that put you at risk in the sun for side effects and sunburn-like symptoms
Antibiotics
Antifungals
Antihistamines
Statin cholesterol medications
Diabetes medications
What is the link between medications and heat tolerance?
Your body, always on the lookout for your survival, tries to maintain a 98.6 degrees temperature, which we generally hold as ideal. And it will help you cool down in two ways:
Perspiration: you sweat, it evaporates from your skin and cools your body.
Blood vessels: lying in a network under your skin they vasodilate or widen and bring warm blood closer to the surface and allow the skin to release heat.
Our amazing thermoregulation system is affected by some drugs. They might limit the body’s ability to sweat or reduce blood flow to the skin. Medications might also accelerate dehydration or simply make your skin more sensitive in the sun, adding to the likelihood of a sunburn- which brings you closer to risk of skin cancer or melanoma.
Unfortunately, as easy as it is to take precautions in lifestyle alone to prevent skin from burning or being affected by heat, some of our lifestyle realities also make us more susceptible to heat-related issues.
Risk factors may include simply spending healthy time outside – but in the hours of greatest heat or sun exposure to do things like yard work, physical activity or exercise. It may also be riskier for impact by being older (65+ is generally the point) or having chronic medical conditions or being overweight.
How to reduce heat-related health risks and burning in the sun‘
Plan activity for the cooler times of the day to avoid medication side effects when the weather report calls for heat.
Maintain an active lifestyle and keep to a healthy diet to build resilience
Monitor and manage meds that make it harder for your body to handle the heat
The medications fall into these main categories
Heart medications: Prescriptions for high blood pressure, blood-clot prevention and meds that support the pumping function of the heart. These drugs range from diuretics to antiplatelet, Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors
Antidepressants: Meds that are prescribed to treat depression and anxiety.
Antipsychotics: These medications treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders.
Central nervous system stimulants: Commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) these drug and interactions with heat can affect people of all ages.
Anticholinergics: While quite specialized to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and also overactive bladders, these drugs might catch people unaware until the experience rashes or other side effects from heat and sun exposure including sunburn like symptoms.
Antihistamines: Regulars on the medicine cabinet shelves for seasonal allergies, bug bites and bee stings.
Decongestants: Relief of common cold and allergies may also show up as side effects of heat and sun.
How to manage in the heat with your medications
Always talk to your doctor first and do not suddenly stop your prescription as you may need blood levels high enough to be effective for your condition.
Store medications properly especially if they require refrigeration.
And for the easy everyday tips: Stay hydrated – keep cool – wear light, loose-fitting clothes. At home close curtains and pull shades – use a fan or air-conditioning – limit or avoid outdoor activity during the hottest times of the day.
Dr. Moondust’s favourite summertime accessory, her floppy hat and sunglasses also help with photosensitivity.
And of course, a sun smart application of Skin Protector Plus to keep cool with a layer of lovingly natural ingredients and zinc oxide.
So, from Team Moondust the top summer tip is to scoop up bucket loads of free vitamin D which your body converts to help with so many body functions, but dress and plan for the best times out. Apply your SPP and enjoy healthy foods and lots of water throughout the day as you work and play in our summer season.
With climate change affecting previously predictable forecasts, typical winter getaways to the call of the surf and sun or staycations for snow and ski time both have suncare for you in common and with that habit, smart skincare.
January vacation breaks are perfectly timed for finding freedom of movement and fresh air that is essential to our health and well-being. A well-oxygenated body and lungs can help to fight off infections. They say there’s no bad weather, just bad gear. Still, an easy to apply layer of Moondust Cosmetics® Skin Protector Plus (SPP) is always a good companion.
Resolve to ski, skate, and snowshoe or just walk around in the fresh air and sun. It’s great to keep exposed skin supple, soft and protected from UV Rays in any daytime outdoor activity. It’s especially protective if you have sensitive skin or are conscientious about skin cancer concerns for you or family members recovering from skin cancer.
Here’s Moondust’s short list of suncare tips for travel on location…
Out in the fresh air- You may be walking, hiking or enjoying a coffee, hot chocolate, or a refreshing cup of tea on a patio
On planes, trains or automobiles –Getting to your destination especially if you are seated by a window
Active on the slopes, lunching at the mountain top, snow shoeing or ice fishing
When you are exposed to snow glare, your burn rate increases because the UV light intensifies as it reflects off snow and ice.
Solve all your winter sun exposure concerns when you pack along a tube of Skin Protector Plus (SPP). It has APF (Apoptotic Protection Factor) to prevent snow burn and to protect you from scientific sunburn caused by both UVA and UVB rays.
You’ll find it lightweight and easy to spread, too.
Skin Protector Plus is powered by natural sun filters without any harsh chemicals, any synthetic fragrances or artificial colours. That makes it safe and easy to use on all skin types as well as suitable for children 3 years and older.
Take along your tubular friend who’ll protect you beautifully and work to block out both UVA and UVB radiation while you enjoy the great outdoors.
Subscribe here to get more tips about sun safety, myths and research on the latest advances in sun protection you can use.
Our holiday greetings now come in so many versions and languages. The reasons to celebrate in this season have grown alongside the many ways we can show our appreciation. Team Moondust pooled their favourite free or low cost and environmentally friendly ideas to gift the people in our community with love and attention.
In past holiday seasons, Moondust Cosmetics® has naturally noted the gift of suncare for holiday travelers or those enjoying hometown holiday fun outdoors to share the gifts of Skin Protector Plus (SPP). Yet, the Moondust team is ever aware of the wide world of wonder and gifts brimming with imagination and care that comes best from being attentive to others around us and what we ourselves have to share with others.
So, let’s share some starter ideas for low or no cost quality gifts this season
Practical gifts of service
Have you got unique skills stemming from your job or hobbies? Gift a service needed or wanted by your recipient:
Gifts of time off as you provide childcare, pet care
Pampering massage, spa, pedicure, manicure treatments if you can do it
A break from the kitchen with baking or cooking meals for the freezer
Detailing a car, cleaning a house or doing yardwork
Snapping some photos for assignments, dating profiles or websites!
Or, just go straight to the head of the class and teach a skill you have in crafts, hobbies, kitchen skills or more…
Fun and yum of gifts of food
Always useful and appreciated and never the wrong size, colour or storage issue!
Family food recipes that are treasured or just timely made from ingredients right in your pantry or regular market run! Think…
Jars of preserves, sauces, spice rubs or homemade granola
Holiday baking treats to serve with their company
A book made by you of special recipes
Dried fruits or herbs or mixed nuts you prepare yourself
Gifts of memory
Write down some wonderful moments with them
Assemble a modern music mix tape/recording
Create a video tribute
Send a message to the future with a time capsule – box up memory pieces from tickets to trinkets, photos of fun and more
Grow some green loving
A plant for beauty and air purifying, or flowers or herbs always make a lovely gift. Just remember to start early on that gift of growth and get your bulbs or seeds started if it’s going to be a ground up, handmade project!
Visit or Volunteer at the Holidays
Set a standing date to relate – commit to times with the people you love for tea or chat and more
Take in the holiday lights – tour light displays of homes, holiday markets and festive parks together
Plan to visit a neighbor or friend, or shut in. Bring flowers, or that home baking or a pretty card to leave behind for the season. Or perhaps, brighten the days of someone struggling at the season or with grief for example at the loss of a loved one.
Add to a community drive to meet needs for meals, gloves, socks and other items for the homeless or lower income people who might be struggling even under their own roofs.
Bring cast off linens or blankets to comfort animals in shelters. Perhaps take a local shelter dog for a walk or cuddle a kitten.
Do pay special attention to seniors who may be alone for the holidays and stop to talk to them and help them.
Compassion costs very little to show, be it a community member, a new family addition as a pet, or guests who come for the holidays as a shelter from the street or a solitary holiday season.
Moondust Cosmetics® wishes you an abundance of joy, health and happiness over the holidays and into the New Year ahead. Remember others near you fondly/warmly and those far away with love and support where you can
See us on social all season long.
Visit our website for fun and helpful everyday lifestyle, nutrition and self-care posts at Moondust’s home online.
We now have eight billion people on the planet. Most are living in pain, poverty and the merciless shadow of climate-change. What is to be their future? It’s the time of year that the team at Moondust Cosmetics® like many of our subscribers, takes time to reflect on our families, friends near and far.
Last year at this time, our greetings wished for our region’s neighbours to find their footing as they rebuild from devastating floods and forest fires. Now, we are all aware of neighbours worldwide who struggle in the face of floods, quakes and other disasters from Pakistan to our prairies, from droughts in North Africa to the Pacific Islands sinking under rising seas. It is clear now to all of us that climate change impacts our world. It is yet more complicated by climate catastrophes, war and economic upheavals.
Also, evident now a few years into necessary changes in our daily routines is what has been termed a “tripledemic”. A triad of viruses is driving up hospital admissions this year. Aside from the various nasty immune-evasive Omicron variants to watch out for this season, influenza is on the rise and, particularly, children are suffering from RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). We hope that people are mindful of some of the habits we’ve developed that help; small social gatherings, good ventilation, air purifiers, masks which may be out of fashion – are still incredibly effective where appropriate, and aspirin (81 mg) is still a good, old-fashioned remedy for kids in pain!
Our challenges are accelerating. We should all be working towards achieving accord in the world, and not contributing to the discord. Once climate disasters start unfolding on the epic scale that scientists predict, orderly societies will be more successful at facing the challenges than disorderly ones.
So, Moondust Cosmetics continues to be dedicated to bringing health and safe solutions to the world and a perpetual commitment to peace in all that we do.
Traveling this season? The Moondust Cosmetics® team found high flying support for its call for skincare protection in any exposure conditions. See and hear the practical advice from an experienced flight attendant who is also a nurse here in this short video.
It includes skin care tips and suncare protection. Read the scientific proof in the published papers of Dr. Moondust here and find out how UV rays can cause skin cancer.
Each promotes the smart use of suncare to protect from burns and increased risk of skin cancer.
Suncare protection inside and outside
The nurse and flight crew member explains the need for sunscreen in all conditions. It is one of her many onboard care suggestions that include:
Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily (Even in fall/winter according to this post)
When traveling use protective suncare products inside whether sitting alongside a window or an aisle seat. In planes you are high up and the light rays come in at every angle.
In her video she does say: Wear that suncare, even when you’re just walking around in your daily life. Put it on to protect your skin from sun damage and future skin cancer concerns. The sun’s rays can hit you at a more direct and intense angle than when you’re on the ground so, please always wear sunscreen when you’re flying even if you’re not sitting next to the window.
Chemicals do NOT protect against scientific sunburn. There we’ve said it and it’s because the Moondust Cosmetics® philosophy and meticulous scientific finding show that mineral products such as the natural Skin Protector Plus (SPP) works.SPP unique formulation protects the sun sensitive person age 3+ and individuals concerned about skin cancer in the family, or recovering from skin cancer.
Reasons for sun safety as you work, play or travel
SPP was the safe and reliable solution sought by Dr. Moondust for her own sensitive skin and to protect skin cancer survivors and their concerned family members. The formulation, while easy to apply, gentle on the environment and reef safe, fulfills several important protective purposes.
Regular use reduces skin cancer risk over the long term
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and leads to millions of deaths with the #1 cause being melanoma according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The risks come from exposure to both natural and artificial ultraviolet (UV) light – the light you get from the sun’s rays and from tanning beds, but at a more intensive level than natural light.
In addition, some sun tan oils have cancer-promoting ingredients. While chemical sunscreens tend to prevent just tanning, mineral sunscreens (at least zinc oxide) prevent both tanning and scientific sunburn!
Habits of suncare help
Making suncare a regular part of your skincare routine may help to minimizethe negative effects of sun exposure. This was shown in the September 2018 JAMA Dermatology publication. The study showed that regular sunscreen use in young adults is strongly associated with a reduced skin cancer risk over the long term.
How do mineral suncare products work?
While both chemical and mineral sunscreens shield your skin from the sun’s harmful effects of UV rays there are certain advantages to how mineral formulas work.
Ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are small particles that sit on the skin’s surface, physically block UV rays from penetrating the skin. They are not as readily absorbed into the skin and do not cause the same chemical reactions and heat response in our skin as chemical sunscreens (although, the heat eventually dissipates).
Dr. Moondust stresses that “this reaction is only effective if you are a “tanner”, though. Chemical sunscreens do not prevent scientific sunburn in sun-sensitive people (“burners”) since they allow UV light into the skin and do not prevent apoptosis (cell death)”
Also, the natural ingredients – safe both for the body and the environment in SPP are not absorbed into the bloodstream like chemical sunscreens. The May 2019 JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) published a small randomized clinical trial that showed significantly greater levels than the FDA requires for safety of topically medications (0.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) to undergo safety studies to determine possible toxic effects.
What’s more, the known health risks of sun exposure far outweigh the potential risk of absorbing small amounts of sunscreen chemicals. These include allergic skin reactions and hormone disruption.
For this reason Moondust has always reminded our community of additional ways to enjoy the sun, or to care for ourselves while working in it. Moondust promotes using the barrier of SPP and also hats, clothing and smart timing where possible for exposure.
Mineral suncare for the win – summer and winter
The two most common ingredients in mineral sunscreens, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are the only sunscreen ingredients generally recognized as safe and effective by the FDA.
Are there downsides to mineral formulations?
Breakouts in acne prone skin: The concern for those who are prone to acne may be breakouts from chemical reactions or from minerals sitting on top of their skin.
Moondust’s SPP is not associated with this problem due to the special non-greasy Moondust Skin Protector Plus formula.
Harder to apply, and leaving a white film? The presence of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and the need for regular reapplication may cause this in some mineral lotions.
You won’t have this white film with Moondust Skin Protector Plus and the special attention given to easy application and smooth coverage.
Why not try SPP for yourself – virtually from the comfort of your own home and phone! Moondust’s new augmented reality AR app lets you do this here and qualify to win a free full size tube of SPP.
Does Sunscreen Expire?
Suncare is best used, year-round, so you should know it has a shelf life, but it’s a long one especially for mineral sunscreens. SPP remains safe and stable for years.
Choose to be safe wherever you work and play in the sun, any time.
Enjoy more fun and helpful everyday lifestyle, nutrition and self-care posts at Moondust’s home online.
New! Now, you can try on Skin Protector Plus (SPP) with our newly released virtual APP.
See how its special formulation protects you from damaging burns in the sun. Moondust Cosmetics® offers a demo using the AR technology so you can see it work on your own face and from the comfort of home! Try it now. Follow these simple and fun steps:
Moondust’s new app takes you step-by-step through the stages of Human Sunburn Cycle
See the full video here with our model to see what really happens when you are exposed to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Now your turn! Use the“Try on link”here (only works on mobile phone)
And as a big THANK YOU for ‘try and share time’ with our new augmented reality (AR) app….we’d like to gift you a full size tube of the award winning Skin Protector Plus. (Does not include shipping)
Just tag us and we’ll be in touch about where to send your tube anywhere in Canada!
Be safe wherever you work and play in the sun, any time.
Enjoy more fun and helpful everyday lifestyle, nutrition and self-care posts at Moondust’s home online.
Moondust Cosmetics® is associated with the unique flagship formulation of Skin Protector Plus (SPP) in the suncare field. The protectant is designed to prevent damaging burns in sun sensitive people or those concerned about skin cancer in the family. See how in the Human Sunburn Cycle. SPP was developed by founder and primary researcher, Dr. Moondust. As a cancer biologist, she shares her research and critical notes on cancer. Today’s post supplements comments she made on cancers in her recent podcast on Climate-Change Wildfires & Air Pollution
Read on for her additional notes during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month and how the extended wildfire season impacts our health and cancer. For the full transcript of her podcast and to understand the larger picture click here.
In the past, it has been maintained that there is no definitive link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds (which are found in smoke from biomass fuel and wildfires, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) and human breast cancer.
Multiple experiments have revealed that PAHs including BaP [Benzo (a) pyrene] induce mammary neoplasms in animals.
A number of recent epidemiological studies also challenge this traditional view:
A large Canadian study found that increased risk of breast cancer was most strongly associated with prolonged duration at high occupational PAH exposure among women with a family history of breast cancer.
In another significant American study, certain PAH sources including ingestion of grilled/smoked meat and indoor smoke exposure (cigarettes and stove/fireplace use) were associated with a 30-50% increase in breast cancer incidence.
BaP has been demonstrated to stimulate p53 expression and apoptosis in a human breast carcinoma cell line.
Furthermore, there is some evidence that PAH exposure (mainly BaP) may be associated with specific breast tumor p53 mutations; p53 is a gene that functions in the activation of cell death, and, mutations that inactivate it may lead to the inappropriate survival of damaged or transformed cells in a two-step cancer model.
Please take care in the sun in all seasons, and in the air especially during wildfire season.
See more helpful everyday lifestyle, nutrition and self-care post at the Moondust home online.
Please take care in the sun in all seasons, and in the air especially during wildfire season. Remember that along with sunburn protection the Moondust special SPP formulation with zinc can help protect your skin from environmental damage as a result of smoke pollution.
If you follow the research emerging on this, you’ll read that zinc increases the levels of an enzyme that detoxifies smoke PAHs in certain cell types; at the very least, what has been shows so far is that it forms a protective layer on your skin against the smoke and prevents rashes.
Enjoy more fun and helpful everyday lifestyle, nutrition and self-care posts at Moondust’s home online.
As wildfires continue, late into the fall season, they pollute the air well beyond the property in the area that they burn. Smoke, airborne toxins and pollutants threaten both people and the animal life for miles around. A special podcast on the topic, presented by Dr. Moondust, founder and primary researcher at Moondust Cosmetics® looks into how the wildfire. As a cancer biologist Dr. Moondust is especially concerned with our experience of air pollution around wildfires and their connection to both climate change and our respiratory health. (Listen to the podcast here)
A transcript of the interview with Dr. Moondust follows on what we can do to protect ourselves as well as the science and studies into respiratory conditions due to wildfire air pollution and its implications on our health. The presentation is based on a chapter Dr. Moondust contributed entitled: “A Role for Heavy Metal Toxicity and Air Pollution in Respiratory Tract Cancers” in the publication: “Heavy Metal Toxicity in Public Health,” 978-1-83880-436-7. Find the links to the chapter published online here.
Q. Hello, Dr. Moondust. So, today, we’re talking about wildfires, air pollution, and cancer.
A. That’s right, Helena.
“Smoking is hazardous to your health” is a phrase that is commonly used and understood in many parts of the world.
Q. Oh, yes, we’re all familiar with that saying!
*Well, in actuality, “smoke” is the hazard. The inhalation of smoke from cigarettes, indoor air pollution, and forest fires currently constitutes a serious public health issue of increasing importance as environmental conditions rapidly deteriorate on the planet.
*Cigarette smoke and air pollution have been associated with lung cancer and nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, respectively.
*In developing countries, indoor air pollution due to the domestic use of unprocessed biomass fuels such as wood, dung, and coal is another cause of respiratory tract cancers in humans; Women and young children are exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution daily; Epidemiological evidence suggests that indoor air pollution increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and of acute respiratory infections in childhood, which are the most important cause of death among preschool children in developing nations.
*In some developed countries such as Australia and Canada, the alarming increase in forest fire frequency due to climate-change and the associated smoke released into the environment is also likely to pose a future human health risk; Model predictions for Canada display dramatic increases in fire frequency in the country and, over recent decades, the area burned by wildland fires in Canada has steadily increased; it is predicted to double by the end of the century accompanied by an increase in length of the fire season
*Currently, research on the health effects of forest and wild fire smoke is limited. However, smoke from these conflagrations contains the same kind of particles as indoor combustion from wood-smoke. Similar to the situation of indoor air pollution from biomass smoke, forest fires generate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can include carcinogens such as benzo (a) pyrene [BaP]. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like BaP can stimulate various biochemical processes in the body including the continuous activation of apoptotic (cell death) pathways that have been linked to the initiation of carcinogenesis. It is of interest that this chemical compound (BaP) is also found in cigarette smoke.
Q. Wow, that’s interesting and covers both local and global impact!
So, these are 3 different ways for us to be exposed to the same cancer-causing agents. There is a lot of common sense and pure science in the mix here for us to learn and to apply in practical steps. In previous posts, Moondust Cosmetics has shared some of these tips. They were articles of easy and effective everyday things we can do during the heaviest of wildfire season such as; how to reduce our exposure to air pollution and to avoid the anticipated health consequences from it – mild to very serious.
Dr. Moondust, at this time can you do something for us? Take us deeper into the science and then share with us what else we can do to protect our health along the lines of how we can apply the science to our everyday actions.
A. So, let’s talk a bit about these common carcinogens called POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS [PAHs] AND, particularly, BENZO (A) PYRENE [BaP]
PAHS*Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives are a major class of organic compounds that are produced as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and other organic matter. Consequently, they are prevalent in the human environment and include a number of potent carcinogens. Some of the major sources of these emissions are wood and coal burning, automobiles and other fossil-fuel propelled modes of transportation, heat and power plants, and refuse burning. PAHs are not only present in the air, but are found in many common foods and drinking water and form a significant component of tobacco smoke.
*Levels of PAHs are routinely measured in the atmosphere for air quality assessment
*They can bind to DNA and form dangerous DNA complexes or adducts
*The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo (a) pyrene (BaP), which is a prominent component of indoor/outdoor air pollution and cigarette smoke, is a well-established carcinogen.
*BaP-DNA adducts have been observed in lung cancer patients and in experimental animals following BaP exposure; There is also some evidence for BaP-induced breast cancer in women
*BPDE-DNA adducts have been reported in the white blood cells of occupationally exposed workers and cigarette smokers. (BPDE is a BAP metabolite)
*There is a strong positive correlation between this type of BaP/BaP metabolite DNA adduct formation and risk for lung cancer in humans.
*An elevated frequency of BPDE-induced chromosomal aberrations has also been observed in lymphocyte cultures from lung cancer patients.
*Moreover, animal studies have revealed a highly reproducible association between BaP exposure and respiratory tract tumours in Syrian golden hamsters and lung cancer in mice.
*BaP treatment of mouse hepatoma cells can cause cell death via various mechanisms; In a Bap-treated humanhepatocellular carcinoma cell line, necrosis is induced at 12 hours and apoptosis at 24 hours, respectively, due to a dramatic increase in oxidative stress and activation of apoptotic pathways has been linked to carcinogenesis in a number of cancer models
*Although many epidemiological studies have been carried out on smokers with lung cancer, there is also evidence to suggest that people living in urban areas have an increased risk of lung cancer due to higher levels of air pollution in these areas. A number of studies have indicated a correlation between lung cancer risk and exposure to urban air pollutants, particularly inhalable and fine particulate matter. In animal experiments, lung toxicity, inflammatory effects, genotoxicity, and rodent carcinogenicity have been demonstrated for diesel exhaust and urban air particulates via oxidative DNA damage.
Q. So, now to the question of what can we do to help our bodies cope with wildfire smoke – we know the obvious steps like closing windows when the Air Quality Index is above 50 (not healthy); avoiding outdoor exercise at those times; and, having indoor air purifiers at home. As a biochemist, I know you’re big on supplementation – do you have any suggestions for us?
A. Definitely, I do, Helena. It involves ANTIOXIDANTS AND DETOXIFICATION.
Inside the cell, the harmful effects of oxygen and free radicals are balanced by the antioxidant action of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants that help in the process of detoxification.
*Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of enzymes that detoxify a number of carcinogens including (PAHs). Interestingly, the presence of intracellular zinc appears to boost glutathione levels in certain cell types and, thus, zinc supplementation may be a useful measure in the prevention of lung cancer from tobacco smoke by boosting GST activities. Glutathione supplementation may also be helpful.
*Vitamin C and vitamin E treatment together has been reported to result in a significant reduction in smoking-related BaP-DNA adducts in women and suggests that antioxidant supplementation may help to mitigate some of the carcinogenic effects of BaP exposure.
Black tea polyphenols have been observed to suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis during BaP-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice, possibly in a two-step model (I’m always talking about) involving an initial elevation in apoptosis followed by resistance to apoptosis. The occurrence of carcinoma has been effectively reduced as a result of this treatment.
Q. So, this really brings us back round to climate change, doesn’t it?
A. Absolutely! And, here’s why –
Despite our local efforts, nothing short of an international effort is required to tackle climate-change effectively by cutting greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) on a global scale. Tree planting is a popular carbon capture remediation method world-wide and helps promote biodiversity.
Nuclear energy is sometimes portrayed as a clean replacement for fossil fuels. However, it continues to contaminate the environment despite the production of smaller, new generation reactors. One only has to look to environmental disasters like Sellafield as we’ve discussed.
In addition, a ban on the use of nuclear weapons and nuclear testing should be initiated, since there is already evidence to suggest that atmospheric nuclear explosions have contributed to climate-change by increasing carbon emissions.
Therefore, real, long-term solutions to curb carbon and other harmful emissions are essential. Carbon neutral hydrogen technology is a prime candidate. Other clean, sustainable and renewable energy sources include water, wind, and solar power. At the same time, vegetarianism and veganism are proving to be popular solutions for reducing excessive methane and nitrous oxide emissions from beef cattle ranching and dairy farming.
Thank you, Dr. Moondust for the insights you have shared today.
And thank you, dear listeners.
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