Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

8

Anyone else starting to become a sun addict after paleo?

Before I left the US, I was on vitamin D supplements for a deficiency. I never went outside much because I couldn't stand the heat, and where I had lived usually had a lot of overcast. However, I am better able to deal with the heat and Seoul is very sunny (when it's not having a torrential downpour). I am a natural strawberry blonde and would sunburn after fifteen minutes outside, sometimes straight through mid-September, and not tan. Now, I can be out for a few hours without sunburning, and if I do burn, it's not bad and goes away quickly - and I used to get really bad ones as a kid, with blistering and peeling sometimes. However, I am trying to avoid actually burning, and I think I know what my maximum is now. I even tan now and it's expediting the healing of my psoriasis. The problem is that now I really love being out in the sun! In the past, I used to hide from the sun, slather on 55 spf (yeah) sunscreen and only go out when it was overcast if I could help it. I try not to be out in the middle of the day when it's the strongest, but I get urges when I see how sunny it is to sit or walk out in it and soak in the rays. Is there anything normal about it, or am I getting addicted to the endorphin release of being out in the sunshine?

flag	asked Jun 20 2011 at 10:35 MimsySeoul 1,553●3●15

ben61820 · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-20 12:05:39Z UTC

Oh i am an avowed sundog. Even before paleo, from years of WAP schooling, i knew the sun was good and that, converse to conventional wisdom, a tan is the best protection from burning.

Nothing other than a good workout or sex makes me feel as good as just laying out in the sun for a good 30-40 minutes. Absolutely. Love. It.

Work your way up time-wise, though: i start each season with only about 15-20 minutes of direct shirtless sun per day. then progressively lengthen by about five minute intervals until i hit the 40ish minute mark. By then I have a decent copper color and i never get burned even if exposed to accidentally a whole lot more sun. Almost like this stuff works;)

PS: and this is me, who is very irish and german, and had always been on the paler side of the rainbow

PaleoMouth · Answer 2 · 2011-06-20 11:28:37Z UTC

I concur, I feel nourished by the sun, love it blasting my skin and rocketing my mood. I spent my childhood indoors scared of the sun cause everyone told me I'd burn in 5 mins (blue eye red hair pale skin etc). When im out soaking in the rays it feels spiritual and I often feel thankful towards the sun for the food, life and vitamin D it gives us.

Marie · Answer 3 · 2011-06-20 14:32:22Z UTC

Nope, none for me, thank you very much.

Vit D supplements, yes, skin cancer no.

And, even with 25 years of being very careful, I just had NINE biopsies that were dysplastic. My next trip to the doctor will involve excising these locations, leaving large scars. Skin issues are not pretty and with a family history of skin cancer (despite a Paleo-ish lifestyle) and being blond/blue, it isn't worth it to me.

Leisa · Answer 4 · 2011-06-20 11:02:09Z UTC

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I too now enjoy soaking up as much sun than ever before, it feels so natural to me

answered Jun 20 2011 at 11:02

Leisa
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Laura · Answer 5 · 2011-06-20 12:30:23Z UTC

I spent the day out in the sun working in the yard a few weeks ago and I didn't even get a tan line, much less burn (as I expected to b/c of pre-paleo experience)! What gives? I used to burn so easily now not even a tan??? (I'm fair-skinned, blonde)

BTW, I get extreme pleasure from feeling the sun's rays on my skin. In the winter I sat in my hottub for an hour on sunny days just so I could expose myself to it (albeit filtered by the water). I guess I probably wasn't getting any vit D from it but it sure boosted my winter doldrums!

Josh M · Answer 6 · 2011-06-20 14:13:19Z UTC

3

It is 100% natural to be outside in the sun with as little clothing as possible. It is as natural as birds flying and fish swimming. It does wonders for the mind, body & soul.

answered Jun 20 2011 at 14:13

Josh M
10.9k●1●7●29

Nancy · Answer 7 · 2011-06-20 11:57:11Z UTC

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if it's an addiction it's a good one. I think paleo way of eating allows our skin to protect from the suns rays naturally.

answered Jun 20 2011 at 11:57

Nancy
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pamipoi · Answer 8 · 2011-06-20 12:13:55Z UTC

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My tolerance has most definitely increased. Once you stop incorporating the artificial fats of SAD into your flesh, your body's response to sunlight normalizes. I can still burn but not nearly as quickly.

answered Jun 20 2011 at 12:13

pamipoi
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Lizzish · Answer 9 · 2011-06-20 12:25:34Z UTC

I think it's totally normal and natural, sounds like you're listening to your body, not getting severely burned, and reaping the benefits of sunshine (better emotional and physical health). I've been loving the sun this summer and enjoy getting out in it with my little one. The other moms think I'm crazy when they're slathering their children in sunscreen and putting on layers of long sleeves and I strip my kid down and let him run around shirtless (or naked) in the sunshine. We both get some good Vitamin D and we feel happy. Ben is right, get a base tan first, then you're more protected from burning. And I definitely think the paleo diet provides more natural protection from the sun's rays.

being · Answer 10 · 2011-06-20 13:17:20Z UTC

ive ALWAYS been a sun worshiper, and i live by the beach so i get to do it a lot. problem is, that beach is in new england so i only get a few months a year. i used to feel guilty, but now im thrilled that in finally have PERMISSION (!!!) to lay out there all day and drink it up! if only these rascally kids wouldnt cramp my style. ;)

Ferti · Answer 11 · 2011-06-20 14:12:51Z UTC

I'm having the same experience of tanning instead of burning and really enjoying being out in the sun instead of hiding from it. I felt like this winter was way too much for me and next winter I will fly somewhere warm and lay out at the airport parking lot if that is all I can afford for a couple of days.

James · Answer 12 · 2011-06-20 21:09:26Z UTC

My exposure to a sun goddess was when I was young (one of my aunts). She was in her 40's at the time, and had stayed out in the sun tanning left and right in her youth. Very hot looking from the older pictures. Total leathery wrinklepuss when I saw her.

It's always made me leery about spending long times in the sun since the impact really hit years later. This, of course, was in an era pre-paleo diet and pre-sunscreen useage. Whether or not you would get the same impact now, I don't know. Maybe it's being a little vain, but not really sure I want to find out either.

Digby · Answer 13 · 2011-06-20 23:41:03Z UTC

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We evolved to be out of doors. I've thought for years the dermatologists rant against even a tiny ray of sun was silly.

answered Jun 20 2011 at 23:41

Digby
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Aravind · Answer 14 · 2011-06-20 21:35:39Z UTC

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Proof that sun exposure is critical to unleash the Superman (woman) within -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdmzCN6Kshs

answered Jun 20 2011 at 21:35

Aravind
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jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com · Answer 15 · 2011-06-30 13:15:44Z UTC

I love the sun and have always preferred outside to inside. As an avid cyclist I'm out there quite a bit but since I added Crossfit to my life as well as going Paleo.. oh man. There's been nothing better - umm.. unless you count sex :) - than just melting in the sun and letting it all soak in. I've always loved the sun but now it's just totally different. Just go slow and get that base going, then build up. Enjoy and happy melting!

Sun Worshipping?

15 Answers