Wear Your Broccoli?

As one of the purposes of this blog is to inform the hundreds or even thousands who read it, this post is for those who worship the sun and must have that perfect tan. Up to now because of the scare of skin cancer caused by those ultraviolet rays of the big hot yellow ball, tanees have been prone to pile on sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF rating sometimes approaching their IQ's. Take that statement however you choose. Some don't use any sunblock and have no IQ's.

Yo momma probably told you over and over to eat your broccoli, but here comes along a study by a team of Johns Hopkins' scientists who say it is better to rub on the dark green veggie than to eat it. Specifically, the researchers say that the damaging effects of UV rays can best be reduced by the wearing of a topical solution containing an extract from broccoli sprouts.

Apparently what happens chemically is that the SPF creams only attempt to block the UV radiation whereas the broccoli solution works within the skin cells boosting the protective enzymes that defend the skin against many aspects of the sun's rays. The protectiveness of the green stuff also outlasts sunblockers, and in some cases was effective days after application.

Six human (what else would they use?) subjects participated in the broccoli research, and the results proved to be more successful than sunscreens but varied on different individuals. The researchers deemed those variances were due to genetic differences, dietary habits, etc. It all boils down to more study is required.

But in the meantime in planning for the next tanning season keep this in mind (why wait for the scientists to get it all figured out?) -- you will need some broccoli, a blender and some liquid of your choice. Swirl it around until it is spreadable and not likely to cake on the skin. Apply liberally to the exposed parts of the body, and you are set to go. Remember that this goo can last for days.

After your thorough application, you may be mistaken for Kermit, the Hulk or the Jolly Green Giant, but just laugh at your detractors, because you know you are protected. It may not be a bad idea to ingest some of the broccoli as well -- you will be protected from the inside out and outside in. Keep some in your cooler for snacks as you lie under those burning rays.

For those of you who have no inclination of going the broccoli route, I feel you need some directions as to dosage of the SPF numbered lotion you have selected. This is calculated by using a formula for body surface area and then subtracting the area that is uncovered. Make sense?

Provided one assumes an average female adult build of 5'4" in height, and weight of 125 pounds with a waist of 24", the rule of thumb is the application of 25 grams evenly to the uncovered body parts. This assumption is based on the idea that the swimsuit is of a rather modest cut, but, of course, the skimpier suits call for an increase in the amount of lotion. If your swimwear has bloomers, you will need a lot less of the sunblocker. Then too, you must adjust if your measurements differ from any or all of the averages above. This has gotten way to complicated.

Just stay covered up and buy yourself some of that stuff that turns your skin sort of an orange color, and you won't have to wait 'til summer.