Charity Family Fun Day

Hello again and I start this issue by making aware a special day in the calendar. It is Sunday 7th August and is the day I am holding my annual charity event in aid of Cancer Research UK.   Previously I held just a 6-a-side tournament, the Teresa Lambiase Trefeo, which last year raised over £1500 which is fantastic. This year, with extra bodies helping out, it has become a family event with garden games, a bouncy castle, penalty shoot out, face painting to keep the little ones interested. There’s a beautician on site and also a golf challenge and a BBQ as well.

There is a raffle as well and tickets can be bought from myself if you cannot make the day and wish to make a worthwhile donation. Alternatively, you can donate at www.justgiving.com/Carmine-Cientanni.

Hope to see you there.

What does the sun do to us?

It is fair to say that the majority of people enjoy the sun and it makes us feel happy and lightens up our mood. People enjoy getting sun tans and generally being in its presence. But is there a reason for this and is this a reason that can be scientifically proven? Well the sun is great in the production of Vitamin d, a vitamin that without, would cause the disease rickets. With it, your skin becomes easier to tan and safely as well as it produces the pigment melanin which causes the skin to get darker.

Psychologically, it was suggested in the early 1980s that the heating effect of the sun can help in times of depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder).  The body also releases various hormones when you are exposed to sunlight. Prolactin helps with resting, melatonin helps your mood and energy levels, and growth hormone that helps growth and repair in the body. These all lead to a happy and relaxed individual. But it is also important to bear in mind that the sun can also be harmful to the body.

Erythema, or sunburn, as it is more commonly known is the main problem from the sun. Unprotected, extended exposure causes this. It cauld also lead to the breakdown of collegen and elastin in the skin. This in time causes premature wrinkles in the skin as there is less elasticity in the skin due to the suns inflicted damage. Other changes from sun exposure include freckles, sun spots and eye damage, that could lead to more serious problems such as cataracts.

The most serious problem that can form from excessive sun is skin cancer. This is a result of a gene called P53 mutating and copying themselves. Melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer is also linked with sun exposure. If you are concerned with any of the conditions above, get in touch with your local GP and book an appointment to see if there are any problems.

Vitamins

Continuing with my nutritional theme in my newsletters, I thought it’d be important to address vitamins as well as they too play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and efficient balance in the body.

 There are 13 types of vitamins in the body, split into water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins are not easily stored in the body as they remain stored in the fluid of the body and so pass through the body easily. These are vitamins C and the B-complex group. Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E and K. They are not as essential to keep topping up in the diet, in fact it could take years for these vitamins to get to an insufficient level¹. The main purpose of vitamins is to link and regulate metabolic reactions that release energy from the food we eat. Water soluble vitamins are more important in energy metabolism, for example breaking down food groups such as carbohydrates and proteins and helping in their conversion to energy for the body. A well balanced diet would provide sufficient vitamins to keep the body at a suitable level of effiency.

A lack of vitamins can cause disease and deficiencies so it’s important to get the recommended amount in a balanced diet. Possible deficiences and diseases include anaema, rickets, scurvy and fatigue, amongst others.

Next issue will deal with minerals the body needs. If you would like further in depth information on vitamins, please feel free to contact me.

 Quick Facts

1. “You should apply sun cream 30 minutes before going into the sun so it can absorb into the skin.”

2. “The section of your arm from your elbow to your wrist is the same size as your foot.”

3. “Your nose is the same length as your thumbs.”

References

 1. Exercise Physiology, 5th Edition, McArdle W.d., Katch F.I. & Katch V.L., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London