Summer Watch
By Ellen Ravis, Resident Moneta, 24121

   Summer’s here and we’re spending more time in the sun, the days are longer, and our part of the world receives more direct rays from the sun than at other times of the year.   So…remember SUNSCREEN!   Daily wear is recommended at SPF 15 and SPF 30 for longer periods in the sun.  RE-APPLY every 2 hours when sweating or swimming even if your sunscreen is waterproof!  You can even get sunburn on cloudy days because UV rays penetrate the clouds.
   Sunburn in children is more severe because of the rapidly growing skin and the higher potential for errors in DNA leading to future cancers.  The risk for skin cancer (malignant melanoma) in America is 1 in 70 for the general population and 1 in 35 for those of us who are fair skinned, freckled, or burn easily (you know who you are!).
   Not all sunscreens are created equal. SPF 45 is not better; the maximum proven to be beneficial is SPF 30.  You’ll want to watch for artificial ingredients or dyes in your sunscreen; remember that 60% of what you put on your skin winds up in your body (that is why medicated patches work).  Enfuselle SPF 15 and SPF 30, developed by Shaklee Corp., provide Broad Spectrum SPF protection as well as antioxidants that the sun depletes from the skin without using artificial ingredients, dyes, or preservatives.
   Dr. Ronald Watson, PhD, Professor of Public Health Research at University of Arizona, recommends “inside-outside” protection.  “Research shows that what carotenoids do for plants, they can do for the skin.”   Caratomax is a natural mixed carotenoid supplement available from Shaklee.
   Did you know that dehydration is the number one  problem in exercise and endurance activities?  Working and playing in the summer heat can cause your body to lose water rapidly.  Yet water is not all that you lose when you sweat and plain water does not dehydrate your body properly.  To maximize your body’s re-hydration, you will want to find a sport drink that does not contain sugar or artificial ingredients but does have a perfect balance of electrolytes.  Many professional athletes, and even NASA’s astronauts, rely on Shaklee Performance to maintain proper fluid levels in the body.
   For more information about any of the information here, or about these products, contact Ellen S. Ravis, (540) 297-1067 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
   Have a great summer!