Hi there!

Summer is quickly approaching, which usually means more outdoor time. This is great for so many reasons, including more vitamin D exposure and getting into nature.

Unfortunately, too much sun can cause oxidative damage in our bodies. So it's important to lather up with some sunscreen, provide shade to reduce too much sun exposure, and eat whole plant foods high in anti oxidants to prevent oxidative damage.

Choosing a quality sunscreen is important, because many sunscreens contain ingredients that are known endocrine disruptors.

This means they can mimic our hormones and influence the amount of hormones that are produced by our own bodies!

They also contain ingredients that are harmful to our gut microbiome.

Common symptoms that arise with use of sunscreens (& other products) that contain gut and hormone disrupting chemicals:

• insulin resistance
• weight gain
• fertility issues
• irregular menstrual cycles
• leaky gut
• brain fog, headaches, migraines
• skin issues

Not only this, but they impair our body's ability to detoxify. This means our body isn't able to properly filter out chemicals we come into contact with, further contributing to a toxic load within us.

By choosing better quality products that we put on our bodies, we can reduce our toxic load, lessening the burden on our gut & liver.

How to choose a toxin free sunscreen:

1. Choose mineral based sunscreens: usually these are made with zinc oxide or titanium oxide
2. Read the ingredients and avoid the following:

• homosolate
• octisalate
• oxybenzone
• octinoxate
• octocrylene

These ingredients are absorbed into the body after one use, and were found to be detected in the blood weeks after use.

Don't rely on the SPF:

SPF reflects only how well a product protects against UVB rays. But they don't reflect how well it will protect against UVA rays (which actually penetrate the skin more deeply).

Also, as SPF increases, the ratio of UVA protection decreases. Higher SPF also requires higher concentrations of sun filtering chemicals.

My favorite brands:

There are so many great brands out there, and these even sell in local markets!

You can check them out here.

Consultations:

Are you struggling with toxic load, SIBO/IMO or MCAS? These are all highly linked and important to take careful treatment to prevent any histamine or mast cell responses.

I offer free discovery calls to learn more about what I do and how I can help. My practice for new consults is currently booked through next month but I have a waitlist for new patients. All patients and clients are seen virtually!

LIVE WORKSHOP SATURDAY MAY 20TH

Do you live local to Southern California? I will be hosting a workshop about supporting your body under toxic load and detoxing the home at a local yoga studio in Dana Point, CA!

The event is free to join! 1pm at 24849 Del Prado, Dana Pont, CA 92629. The studio is called Studio A Pilates and Yoga.

Health & happiness,

Stephanie

Instagram & TikTok: @drstephpeacock

Website: https://stephaniepeacock.com/#