Pete Evans is back with some uh, bizarre ‘medical advice’.
He’s previously spruiked recipes for a dangerous “bone broth” for babies, said sunscreen was unnecessary and supported groups that claim flouride in water is “dangerous”.
And now, well, we have this:
Yes. He is now advocating for staring at the sun – or uh, #sungazing – as one of the best forms of “free medicine”.
He says he only has a “brief gaze” into the “radiant light of the early rising or late setting sun”, but damage to your eyes can happen within seconds and you should just… Not do this. Ever.
The Vision Eye Institute warns that when your eyes are over-exposed to the sun’s UV rays, the radiation literally cooks the exposed tissue and can cause permanent damage. Yes, this can even happen when UV levels are lower at sunrise and sunset.
Do. Not. Want.
This latest advice is truly baffling, and we’re not the only ones who think so.
or as he knows them “activated sunsets”
— nic (@nicshields) December 18, 2018
— Dr. Mike Todorovic (@MickeyTod) December 18, 2018
This explains why his followers follow his advice so BLINDLY.
— Rhett (@Rhett80) December 18, 2018
— Jerome Doraisamy (@JeromeDoraisamy) December 18, 2018
and now here’s pete evans recommending staring into the sun https://t.co/5IitQZFgLO pic.twitter.com/1Enqc8EIZe
— Rae Johnston (@raejohnston) December 18, 2018
So.
Nope.
Just as you should wear sunscreen on your skin daily, you should also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
And don’t ever look directly at the sun.
Top Comments
What. A. Dropkick!
Do you even understand the information in your own sources? Both point out the damage possible from UV light. Do you realise the is NO UV at sunrise? Neither of your sources even suggest that there is...and Pete is not suggesting to do it at the times of day that there is UV. But there is plenty of beneficial Red light at sunrise.... Do you understand this entrains your circadian rhythm? Do you realise Melatonin is created by doing this, so it can be released at night? Do you know Melatonin is not just the "sleep hormone" but our most powerful anti-oxidant? Do you know sunlight reduces all-cause mortality? Perhaps doing some research on the BENEFITS would lead you to some different information rather than clutching at straws trying to find a reason why you can suggest he's wrong. It's ironic that he is witch-hunted by media on the basis of "being a chef therefore not qualified to share wellness info" but somehow journalists are qualified enough to dispel wellness info...
Well said Trevor. The other thing to remember is that UVB rays are vital for our health. It is the UVA that causes the damage that everyone is scared of. While sunscreen protects from melanoma, the lack of Vitamin D that results is a contributing factor to so many other cancers. There is a balance.
The people disregarding this clearly have no knowledge of biochemistry. It is science that tells us that our mitochondria are the batteries for our bodies. It is science that tells us that sunlight (specifically UVB) is critical for mitochondrial health. The concentration levels of melanin receptors in the eyes make them the best vehicle for a healthy quick hit of good light that will fuel our mitochondria, and in turn fuel our cells. In the meantime all the naysayers jumping on the wagon here are probably flooding their bodies with junk light day and night (like blue light from phones and computers, and crappy light from LED globes that destroys our bodies), causing mitochondrial damage, while they wonder why there are so many chronic health issues out in the world.
Want to know more about the science? Read Head Strong by Dave Asprey - it covers everything. In the meantime, people should be sure about what they are commenting on before they poo-poo it.
If they have science to prove that what Pete Evans is saying is wrong, then lay it out. In the meantime, I trust proven biochemical facts!