Stay Out of Sun!

By Stephen Bucaro

Scientists believe life on earth started in sea. That's because before appearance of ozone layer, surface of earth was bathed in life destroying ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone is a form of oxygen. Whereas, a normal oxygen molecule consists of two oxygen atoms bound together, ozone is three oxygen atoms bound together. Ozone is much less common than normal oxygen. Out of two million oxygen molecules, only three are ozone. Ozone in stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation, making it safe for life on surface of earth.

Ozone molecules in stratosphere are constantly forming and breaking up. Industrial development has caused release of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs in stratosphere act as a catalyst, breaking down ozone molecules. CFC molecules are extremely stable. One CFC molecule can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules.

CFCs are causing ozone to be destroyed faster than it is created. This has caused ozone layer to become thinner. In fact, a hole in ozone layer has opened up over Antarctica. In 2000, ozone hole measured 32.9 million square kilometers and extended over populated areas of Australia.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can result in a skin cancer called "melanoma". According to American cancer Society, each year more than a million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. Melanoma is a highly invasive form of cancer. Even after treatment, a melanoma can metastasize. Once a melanoma has metastasized, it rarely responds to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The life expectancy of an individual with metastasized melanoma is only a few months, and over 10,000 people die of skin cancer each year.

The latest challenging fact to be learned about great American obesity problem is that among children, number of clinically obese children has doubled in last two decades, according to National Institutes of Health (NIH). In fact, by 2002, NIH says that one in five children in US is overweight.

Obese children are also developing diseases like Type 2 Diabetes that used to only occur in adults. And overweight kids tend to become overweight adults, continuing to put them at greater risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Perhaps potentially more devastating is that children who are teased a lot can develop low self-esteem and depression.

There are many households in which not only one or more children are obese, but frequently one or both parents are also obese. Many parents are also at risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Even members of a household who do not have these problems will benefit from a low carb lifestyle because all Americans are far too dependent on processed sugar and carbohydrates, putting all of us at risk for obesity and myriad other health problems. Does any of this sound like you?

What’s a concerned parent to do?

Adopt The Five Keys to Low Carb Success for your whole family. I sincerely hope you know by now that first is “Information.” Find ways for whole family learn principles of health according to low carb, including even members of your household who may not be obese. At least those needing a lifestyle change should learn as much as they can about low carb – and LowCarb-Lifestyles.Com helps us do that.