Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that the body – when exposed to sunlight – releases a protein which is a well-known tumor suppressor called p53.

The same scientists conducted a prior study which revealed that when the skin is struck by ultraviolet solar radiation, the breakdown of the protein POMC is triggered. This breakdown in turn initiates the release of a hormone that produces melanin and causes the skin to darken or become tanned.

When the skin cells were injected with p53, production of POMC increased drastically.

This evidence correlates to the method in which age spots develop as they typically are triggered by stress and the body also produces p53 as a response to stress-induced DNA damage.

Evidence that p53 may trigger the release of endorphins, which are associated with feelings of pleasure was also discovered by the scientists which may explain why so many people yearn for sunlight.

“The number one risk factor for melanoma is an inability to tan.” – Senior Author David E. Fisher.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

When will people finally realize that exposure to sunlight does not cause cancer. The only information circulating that suggests it does, is nothing but a bunch of malarkey being spread around by the skin cancer industry in an effort to prevent sun screen manufactures from going out of business.

As long as you’re not spending excessive amounts of time in the sun and you’re not deficient in the proper antioxidants, sunburn and DNA damage are two things you don’t need to worry about.

It’s actually the sun screen that should be on your list of things to keep away from as most of them contain cancer-causing chemicals.