Welcome to the May edition of Your Healthy Life—a monthly resource for health information and updates for the whole family, compliments of Natural Health Solutions—and happy Mother's Day! May is an outstanding month for health observances—far more than we can feature here. Visit the links below to learn more about any and all that may apply to you or those you love.

We hope you enjoy these beautiful, sunny days as we move towards summer. Let's remember to do so safely when it comes to sun exposure. You will learn a lot about how best to do so in this issue. The good news, as we enjoy the warm season, is that healthy eating is easier than ever. In fact, we often crave the healthy bounty of the season, like vine-ripened tomatoes, roasted corn-on-the-cob, succulent sweet strawberries, and refreshing melon. And if you've never grilled Portobello mushroom burgers at your summer BBQ, you're in for a treat!

Take advantage of seasonal produce whenever you can—organically grown where possible—for maximum health benefits. Do you attend your local Farmer's Market? Most Bay Area communities have one at some point during the week. Not only will you be able to obtain delicious, organically grown and freshly picked produce at great prices, you will be supporting local farmers.

If you go often, you'll become acquainted with those who grow your food, a nice connection to have. These are also great fun for kids! Learn where and when your local market is, and enjoy the atmosphere, while gathering a rainbow of healthy produce.

Best wishes for your enhanced wellness this month, and that of your entire family.

Please send questions and comments to kiki@aboutnhs.com.

Cheers and peace,

Bone Density Screenings

Also, many of our readers have expressed interest in bone density screening events in the San Francisco Bay Area. Please note the following May events:

Don't miss out on these great events. Your health is worth the time.

For more information about this important test for both individuals and organizations, contact me at 408.364.9742 or kiki@aboutnhs.com.

May is Melanoma\Skin Cancer & Detection Month. As we enter the warmest months of the year, increasing our vigilance about sun protection becomes vital. The Skin Cancer Foundation is committed to educating parents, other caregivers and children about protecting themselves against the harmful rays of the sun all year round. The earlier that children learn these lessons, the better, since people receive most of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. The more that children are exposed to the sun, the greater their chances of permanent skin damage and even skin cancer.

Sunburns in childhood—when we receive a substantial amount of our lifetime sun exposure—is considered a key risk factor for melanoma, the most dangerous and potentially lethal kind of skin cancer. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double the risk of getting melanoma later in life! The good news is that if we can prevent sunburns in kids, skin cancer and death from skin cancer should decrease.

Who is most vulnerable to skin cancer? People who burn easily in the sun, who lack natural pigment protection, are at the greatest risk. Typically, this includes people with fair skin, blonde or light-colored hair, green or blue eyes and people who freckle easily. Skin cancer can occur in people of Hispanic and African-American backgrounds, as well as people with darker complexions.

Certainly, people who have had a family member with melanoma should pay special attention to sun protection. It's important to note that anyone can develop skin cancer! More teenagers and young adults are being diagnosed with skin cancer than ever before. This includes a rise in the deadliest form of skin cancer—melanoma. Children and teens will always try to make their own decisions on everything. However, if you practice good sun protection when your children are very small, they will be the ones reminding you to wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. Hopefully, in their teen years, they'll also avoid tanning parlors and excess sun exposure.

As you may know, prolonged unprotected exposure to UV rays from the sun damages collagen production and demolishes lipids, which ultimately causes a loss of elasticity in the skin, premature ageing, wrinkles, and in the worst possible case, skin cancer. Yet, in spite of these daunting concerns, many of us still desire a healthy, golden glow.

In hopes of shining a little light on this most serious skincare issue, Nu Skin® Sunless Tanner offers a healthy alternative for a beautiful tan with additional skin health benefits not found in other sunless tanning products. Sunless Tanner protects the skin from accelerated aging in two ways: it automatically adjusts to your skin tone for a natural looking tan without exposure to aging UV rays, and it provides powerful anti-aging benefits with dunaliella salina. These micro algae, rich in colorless carotenoids and beta-carotene, helps protect cells from aging free radicals.

The silky lightweight formula goes on smooth and is buildable so you can control the color intensity for a customized, sun-kissed appearance every time. Size 3.4 oz. Tube. Retail Price: $21.90. For more information, or to purchase, go to: kikipowers.mynuskin.com.

People often eat when bored, even if they aren't truly hungry. If you are in between meals and just feel like eating, even if you know lunch or dinner is just ahead, think about treating yourself to a calorie-free break instead by trying one of the following, brought to us by the American Heart Association:

• Enjoy a large glass of ice water, iced tea or sparkling water. Garnish with a twist of lemon or lime and sip slowly.
• Refresh yourself by taking a shower and brushing and flossing your teeth.
• Get active. Take a 20-minute brisk walk, sweep your porch, etc.
• Work on a favorite hobby, such as gardening, sewing, painting, knitting, etc.
• Keep a list of fun activities on hand and choose one to accomplish, such as organizing your photo album, or spend some time with a good book. Keep this list handy so you can inspire yourself when the urge to snack occurs.

You may know that moderate exercise during pregnancy has a host of health benefits, but were you aware that it can help prevent gestational diabetes? This type of diabetes is specific to pregnancy, and may increase a women's risk of Type 2 diabetes after birth. According to research from the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle1, pregnant women who engaged in regular exercise in the year before and during their pregnancy reduced gestational diabetes risk by 56%. For those who were active at least 4.2 hours a week, risk was reduced by 76%. One more reason to get your walking shoes on and hit the trail!

1 American Journal of Epidemiology (2004;159:663-670)