Posted on 13th May 2011 @ 12:50 PM

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the most abundant carcinogens in our environment. Excessive sun exposure is the major factor in the development of non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common type of human malignancy worldwide.

Today, the level of UV radiation is increasing as a result of depletion of the stratospheric ozone and climate change. That’s why we cannot simply skip sun protection just because our parents could live happily without it.

Many phytochemicals found in plants are potent antioxidants capable to ward off free radicals that occur in human skin during sun exposure. Here are some of the most important antioxidants:

Alkaloids (caffeine, sanguinarine)

Flavonoids (epigallocatechin 3-gallate, genistein, silibinin)

Carotenoids ( beta-carotene, lycopene)

Isothiocyanates (sulforaphane)

Quercetin

Sun protecting phytochemicals have been consumed by humans for many centuries as part of plant-rich diets and are presumed to be of low toxicity and it's nearly impossible to overdose on a naturally occuring antioxidant by eating foods that are rich in it. However, overdose of an antioxidant supplementation is more common but is not usually harmful. For example, overconsumption of beta-carotene may result in yellowing of the skin and liver but it goes away without any health damage after the supplementation is stopped.

Antioxidants prevent sun damage that can trigger skin cancer in multiple ways. Most commonly, they protect against UV radiation-inflicted damage by quenching free radical oxygen molecules and also work as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents.

Antioxidant sun protection is comprehensive and long-lasting, but it’s also important to shield yourself from the sun from outside as well with a trusted mineral sun cream. This double protection: from inside with antioxidants and outside with minerals – will not cause pro-oxidant effects or interfere with the synthesis of vitamin D, both unfortunate side effects of chemical sunblocks.