Saturday, May 10, 2025

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Health expert: Sunlight more important for health than previously thought

Published 10 June 2024
– By Editorial Staff
If you avoid burning yourself, there is no danger, says the health professional.

Nutritionist Fredrik Paulún, author of The Light Revolution (Ljusrevolutionen), says there are many serious misconceptions about the sun. One of the best things you can do for your health, Paulún says, is to make sure you get enough sunlight.

– We shouldn’t burn ourselves, but we should be in the sun as much as possible, he says.

Here are Paulún’s best tips and observations for the sunniest months of the year.

Fredrik Paulún is perhaps one of Sweden’s best-known health profiles and a trained nutritionist. In The Light Revolution, he describes how the sun, and especially light, is directly vital to us. While elsewhere people are often encouraged to sunbathe cautiously, he argues instead that people in Sweden today generally have a sun or light deficiency and should make sure they get much more sunlight.

Among other things, he explains that endorphins are produced when sunlight hits the skin, which he believes shows that the sun is beneficial to humans. What we are naturally attracted to is often based on the production of endorphins, and Paulún says it is perfectly logical to assume that the sun is necessary for human survival. According to the health expert, the sun’s bad reputation is “completely undeserved” and is at least as important for health as exercise and a good diet.

Sick without sun

Paulún believes that the sun has a positive effect on the entire body system, from the brain to the organs. In particular, it increases the energy production of the body’s mitochondria, whose function is to convert energy from food. “A lot of diseases have a ‘bone’ in poor mitochondrial function”, says the health expert.

– Without mitochondria, we’re screwed, he says in the podcast Health for the Unhealthy (Hälsa för ohälsosamma).

Paulún believes that the advice to avoid the sun is actually making us sick. Among other things, he points to a large number of studies that have been done comparing where you live on Earth, where latitude 0 is the equator, and it has been found that, for example, the autoimmune disease MS is almost non-existent at the equator, in other words, where there is a lot of sun. The disease increases the further away you are from the equator, where, for example, Sweden is quite affected by the disease.

The same goes for high blood pressure, which according to the health profile is more prevalent in countries further from the equator, where there is less sun. This is partly because the sun stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, mortality rates during the winter months are reported to be about 25% higher in countries far from the equator.

Sun avoidance as bad as smoking

Lack of sunlight can also contribute to increased body weight. Paulún also says that the risk of autoimmune diseases in particular is significantly reduced by getting enough sun, and that those who suffer from them can improve their symptoms by getting plenty of sun.

According to the profile, other research suggests that avoiding the sun carries the same risk of premature death as smoking. According to other research, after 20 years of sun exposure, people are generally 40% less likely to die from all forms of cancer.

The sun also stimulates the immune system, which reduces the risk of respiratory infections. Paulún points out that the sun also has a big practical impact when it comes to COVID, saying that in Sweden, people with darker skin are more affected by the disease because they have a higher need for sunlight.

– We now know that the sun also had a great impact on how severely ill people became from covid, for example, many people with darker skin died. This is a very important aspect when we talk about human health. We have different sun needs.

No sun protection factor

A large number of researchers and experts believe that sun protection is essential, and preferably as high a factor as possible. Dermatologist Petra Kjellman, for example, recently advised Swedish state broadcaster SVT to use at least SPF 30 or 50 during the summer.

However, Paulún argues that sunscreens can actually increase the risk of skin cancer because they remove the natural instinct to retreat from the sun. For example, a large study involving 50 regions and countries found that the more UV light you get without sunscreen, the less likely you are to develop the skin cancer malignant melanoma.

– Because it protects us, it is a hormetic stressor. It is simply a repair of the skin cells, he says.

He also points out that some sunscreens contain chemicals and endocrine disruptors that are absorbed into the skin. He says that while sunscreen protects against burning, it doesn’t protect against things like cancer or sun-induced wrinkles.

– Wearing sunscreen in Sweden is terrible, he says.

On the other hand, Paulún admits that he might use sunscreen on extremely rare occasions, it might be a bit on the nose when he goes out to sea. Otherwise, he avoids it altogether.

Sunbathe smart

Although natural sunlight is beneficial to health, too much UV radiation can cause damage to biological tissues. This can lead to sun damage, increased risk of malignant melanoma and skin aging. Paulún also mentions a study of 29,000 Swedish women in the southern part of the country. The women were divided into non-tanners, moderate tanners and active tanners. The women who were active tanners had a 1.1% risk of developing malignant melanoma, while the non-tanners had a 0.8% risk – in other words, a very small margin. However, the study found that the mortality rate was lower among active tanners than among non-tanners. For those who did not sunbathe, the mortality rate for skin cancer was nearly 36%, compared to only 11% for active sunbathers.

However, it is important not to get too much sun and not to burn yourself, Paulún emphasizes. “What you should focus on is building up a good tan, then you will not burn so easily. If you build up a good tan, you have protection equivalent to about 10 to 15 SPF”, he says. It is also important to be logical and sunbathe in moderation, get out of the sun if you get too much, and wear a hat and protective clothing. Have children wear UV protective clothing and a hat or cap.

– UV light just makes us feel good, says Fredrik. It is important. But we can also burn ourselves. So it’s important to find the right balance.

Morning sun the best

The most beautiful part of the day is the morning, according to Paulún. The sun is low and the UV light is filtered in the atmosphere, so almost nothing reaches you. At the same time, your body wakes up in the morning and your eyes get light. The sunlight is also milder in the evenings.

The sun is strongest during the day and if you want to avoid burning, it is probably best to sit in the shade or indoors if you are in even warmer latitudes such as Australia.

Vitamin D

UV light triggers the production of vitamin D, and Paulún says research suggests that naturally produced levels of the vitamin and high sun exposure are linked to the same health effects. However, supplements of the vitamin do not have the same effects. Studies show that vitamin D supplements reduce mortality from all causes in humans, but do not protect against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes. The health profile says that supplements can’t replace light, and if you have low levels of the vitamin, you probably don’t get enough sun.

Red light in winter

In Sweden there are few hours of sunshine during the winter, but Paulún still encourages people to try to get sun on their skin on the days when it is available. However, red light lamps can also be used in winter as a dietary supplement, which he strongly advocates.

In his book, Paulún explains that the sun emits electromagnetic radiation, which includes different forms of light, including ultraviolet (UV), in different wavelengths. The sun emits light in all the colors of the rainbow, but when all the wavelengths are mixed, the light looks white, for example, you can often see more red light in the evening, then you can often see more blue light during the day.

The red light, according to the health profile, is the one that produces the most biological effects. Red light lamps are available for home use and are also used in treatments. Paulún himself has a red light lamp at home that he routinely sits in front of for about 15 minutes every morning.

Fredrik Paulún

Photo: AndreasArgirakis/CC BY-SA 3.0

Nutritionist and writer, born July 20, 1970, who frequently appears on television, in newspapers and on radio programs. Paulún is also known for introducing Swedes to the now famous GI diet.

Paulún's brand was launched in Sweden in 2005, but since 2010 it has been owned by Orkla Foods Sverige AB.

He has written about 20 books on nutrition and health, including 50 Shortcuts to a Sugar-Free Life, The Truth About GI and LCHQ. His latest book, The Light Revolution (Ljusrevolutionen), was published last year.

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After the shots – now the COVID vaccine is headed for the lungs

The criticized covid vaccinations

Published 6 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Initially, 350 participants are taking part in the clinical trials - but it is hoped that the vaccine will be tested on many more Canadians.

The COVID vaccine AeroVax is not to be injected – but inhaled according to a method that will be tested in Canada with government funding. This is despite previous vaccines being linked to millions of reported side effects and vaccine injuries, including heart muscle inflammation, blood clots, and sudden deaths.

At McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, researchers have launched a phase 2 study of a new COVID vaccine that is not administered by injection but is instead inhaled.

The vaccine, named ChAd-triCoV/Mac, will now be tested on 350 participants from across the country, with $8 million in government funding, and researchers say they hope the new vaccine will provide stronger protection against infection than previous injection-based vaccines.

While the current, needle-based COVID-19 vaccines have prevented a tremendous amount of death and hospitalization, they haven’t really changed a lot of people’s experience with getting recurrent infections, claims Fiona Smaill, professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and one of the study’s leaders.

We’re looking to change that by providing robust protection directly at the site of infection, she declares.

Targets three virus proteins

The new vaccine differs from previous COVID vaccines in several ways. In addition to being administered as an aerosol inhalation, it targets three different proteins in the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to the researchers, this should improve protection against any future variants of COVID.

When a vaccine is inhaled, the body’s immune system reacts differently than when it is injected, which McMasters claims is more effective in preventing the infection itself.

Results from preclinical studies, together with unpublished data from the phase 1 study, suggest that the inhaled vaccine elicits a stronger immune response than traditional injections because it targets the airways where the virus first enters the body.

For those already vaccinated – but not recently ill

AeroVax is intended for people who have already received at least three doses of an mRNA vaccine. To participate in the study, participants must not have had COVID-19 or been vaccinated in the three months prior to registration. Participants must be between 18 and 65 years of age, free of lung disease, and able to attend all on-site testing sessions.

The study includes 350 participants from across Canada. Two-thirds will receive the vaccine and one-third a placebo. None of the participants know which group they belong to, which the researchers say is crucial for an objective evaluation.

Randomization allows for objective comparison between those who received the vaccine and those who didn’t, which can tell us a lot about the level of protection the vaccine could provide and its side effects, Smaill continues.

“Ensures the safety of participants”

The study is led by researchers at McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, and all development – from laboratory design to testing – is taking place in Canada.

Every medicine or vaccine that we use and trust today has at one point gone through similar clinical trials processes, says Matthew Miller, director of the institute and a member of the research team.

This is a highly regulated process with extensive oversight that ensures the safety of participants and will generate critical data to inform the next steps in development, he adds.

If the results are promising, the researchers plan to move on to a Phase 3 study with a larger group of participants – a step toward approval and market introduction.

Previous COVID vaccines were usually administered with a syringe. Photo: Canstockphoto

Millions of side effects

In this context, it is worth mentioning that since the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began, millions of side effects and vaccine injuries, including deaths, have been reported globally – ranging from fever and nerve damage to blood clots, heart muscle inflammation, and sudden death.

Young men have shown an increased risk of heart inflammation, which has led to certain vaccines being withdrawn or restricted in several countries, and many have come forward to testify about long-term vaccine injuries that affect their ability to work and their quality of life – but their stories have been silenced or dismissed by the healthcare system.

Critics argue that authorities and vaccine manufacturers prioritized rapid distribution over transparency and safety, and that the long-term effects are still very poorly understood.

The vaccine is also believed to have had virtually no effect on the spread of infection, and US health authorities were eventually forced to admit that vaccinated people could carry as much of the virus as unvaccinated people. In Sweden, too, healthcare providers concluded that the vaccine did not stop the spread of COVID-19.

Young Swedes consume too much sugar

Published 1 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff

70 percent of Swedish youth consume more sugar than recommended, according to a dissertation from the University of Gothenburg. Primarily, young people consume soda, candy, and pastries.

The thesis looked at how much free and added sugar Swedish young people consume, something that has not previously been studied to any great extent. Added sugar refers, for example, to sugar in soft drinks, candy, cakes, pastries and some breakfast cereals, while free sugar includes both added and natural sugar found in, for example, honey, syrup and juice.

Since there are guidelines for the intake of both added sugar, and since 2023 also for free sugar, it’s important to be able to follow up on how well these guidelines are adhered to, to have a basis for promoting public health through various health-promoting efforts, says Julia Wanselius, who wrote the thesis, in a press release.

The limits for the recommended maximum intake of sugar in Sweden are set in relation to the amount of calories consumed and then expressed in energy percent (E%). The intake of both added and free sugars is recommended to be limited to a maximum of ten energy percent, in other words, no more than ten percent of the calorie intake per day should be sugar. For an adult, this corresponds to approximately 50-75 grams of sugar per day.

Sugar linked to lower nutrient intake

The results show that only 30% of Swedish teenagers stay below the recommended maximum intake for sugar, which means that around 70% eat too much sugar.

The biggest sources of sugar are soft drinks, candy, cakes and pastries, which together account for about 70 percent of the added sugar that young people eat. The study also shows that a high intake of sugar is linked to a lower intake of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and whole grains.

One of the conclusions of the thesis is that the information around sugar intake would need to change to influence young people to eat less. Instead of focusing only on recommending less sugar, Wanselius suggests that the guidelines should instead focus on reducing the consumption of certain specific foods such as soft drinks and sweets.

Future of EU-wide PFAS ban remains unclear

Published 24 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
It is well known that PFAS chemicals are directly harmful to health - but a European ban may still be some time away.

France has recently introduced a ban on carcinogenic PFAS chemicals in all cosmetic products.

A similar ban is also being discussed at EU level but it is highly unclear when it might actually be introduced

France is described as the first country in the Union to completely ban PFAS in the beauty and fashion industry. Since February, make-up containing the chemicals cannot be imported or exported although some substances are still exempt from the new regulations.

– I saw the film Dark Water about a poisoning scandal in the US and realized pretty quickly that this is the same kind of scandal that is happening around PFAS in Europe, French influencer, documentary filmmaker and activist Camille Étienne, 26, told tabloid Aftonbladet.

Through her reporting, she was instrumental in pushing through a ban and says that she herself tested her blood and discovered that it contained the harmful chemicals.

– Some of them are classified as carcinogenic by the WHO’s cancer research institute. The tragedy is that there is no way to get rid of PFAS already in the body. This is the asbestos of our generation, she continues.

Accumulates in food and drinking water

It has long been known that PFAS can affect fertility, cause liver damage, several types of cancer, weakened immune systems, and high cholesterol – and major cosmetics producers have frequently been pointed out as major culprits driving the poisoning of citizens.

PFAS refers to a group of thousands of highly persistent industrial chemicals often called “forever chemicals” because they remain for a very long time in both the environment and the human body.

These substances can accumulate in drinking water and food, thereby reaching people even in very small doses. Due to their long-term effects, PFAS is seen as a serious environmental and public health issue, and even at the EU level, a comprehensive ban on PFAS in consumer products is now under discussion.

“Impossible to say”

Sweden, together with countries like Norway and Denmark, has been a driving force in the matter, which is now being analyzed by the EU Chemicals Agency and various committees. However, the bureaucratic processes are expected to take a very long time, and a total ban is unlikely to become reality anytime soon – if it ever does.

It’s impossible to say when a ban might be in place. First, all uses must be evaluated. Then a consultation follows on SEAC’s (Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis) draft opinion. After that, the opinions of RAC (Risk Assessment Committee) and SEAC, together with the proposal, are sent to the Commission, which in turn drafts amendments to the restriction annex in the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), says Jenny Ivarsson, strategic advisor at the Swedish Chemicals Agency.

This will then be discussed and voted on among the member states before a decision is reached, she continues.

The proposal was submitted as early as February 2023.

More young Swedes poisoning themselves with over-the-counter medications

Published 23 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Last year, the Swedish Poisons Information Center received almost 7000 calls about self-harm and suicide attempts.

Over the past decade, the number of calls to the Swedish Poisons Information Center (Giftinformationscentralen) about young people deliberately poisoning themselves has almost tripled and the most commonly used drug in suicide attempts is the painkiller paracetamol.

– Paracetamol is by far the most commonly used drug in suicide and self-harm, confirms Shahabeh Shokrolahi, a call-taker at the Swedish Poisons Information Center.

It’s not that paracetamol is necessarily more toxic than many other medicines it’s that it’s something that most families have in their homes, and it’s often kept in an easily accessible place.

– It is not paracetamol that is the problem, but the well-being of young people. If it hadn’t been paracetamol, it would surely have been something else, she argues in the state television SVT.

It should be noted that there has long been an awareness that Alvedon, Panodil and the like have often been used in suicide attempts and that several changes have therefore been introduced to make it more difficult for minors to obtain the drugs.

For example, the sale of paracetamol tablets in supermarkets was banned and young people were only allowed to buy one pack at a time yet poisonings have only increased.

“Could have been worse”

– If we hadn’t taken these measures, it could have been worse. We don’t know and we’ll never know, but it could have been that there would have been even more calls, speculates Shokrolahi.

Last year, the Swedish Poisons Information Center received almost 7,000 calls about self-harm and suicide attempts compared to 2,500 ten years earlier.

There is no clear answer as to why more and more young people are choosing to harm themselves in this way but it is noted that nine out of ten people surveyed keep painkillers in unlocked and easily accessible areas.

– Even if you don’t suspect that your teenager would resort to drugs in a crisis situation, your teenager’s friends or relatives might. That’s why it’s important that all medicines are locked up and the home is teen-proofed, concludes Shokrolahi.

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