Sunburns aren’t just about forgetting your sunscreen—they’re often the result of deeper imbalances rooted in what you’re eating, how your cells are built, and whether your body is equipped to handle the heat.

 

In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz unpacks the science behind sunburn, seed oils, and vitamin D deficiency—and how what you eat may be making your skin more vulnerable to UV damage. You’ll learn how omega-6 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) from common seed oils get embedded in your skin’s cell membranes and oxidize under sunlight, leading to inflammation, skin damage, and slower healing.

 

Jamie breaks down how to build true sun resilience using the Foundations of Health—including nutrient-dense fats, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, and functional sun exposure strategies.

 

You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on:

 

• Why French fries and chips might be making you burn faster
• How to ditch toxic sunscreen without sacrificing protection
• The critical role of vitamin D synthesis and how to support it safely
• How to balance omega-6 and omega-3 fats for better skin and lower inflammation
• What your cell membranes are really made of—and how to nourish them naturally

 

Sunshine doesn’t just make vitamin D—it makes you happy. And it might just save your skin, if you support it from within.

 

 

 

Related Episodes and Resources:

 

Foundations of Health Episodes

 

• Episode 4 - Bio-Individuality
• Episode 10 - Optimal Wellness Starts Here
• Episode 11 - Digestion
• Episode 29 - Blood Sugar Regulation
• Episode 33 - Fats/Gallbladder Health
• Episode 35 - Childhood Obesity (Thorough review - all applies to adults as well!)
• Episode 46 - Wellness 101 (An overview)

 

 

Go Deeper: Explore the Foundations of Health

If you’re ready to build your health from the inside out, join the 6-Week Foundations of Healing Course through the Nutritional Therapy Association. Get Started!

 

Find a Certified Practitioner

Looking for personalized support? Search the Nutritional Therapy Association Practitioner Directory to find a virtual or in-person Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), or Professional Health and Wellness Coach (PHWC): NTA Practitioner Directory

 

Connect with Jamie!

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