Nadine Artemis
Episode Description:
When conventional wisdom tells us the sun is our enemy, Nadine Artemis stands as a beacon of truth, challenging decades of fear-based programming about sun exposure. Broadcasting from her stunning lakeside property in Ontario, Canada, Nadine dismantles the modern myth that sunlight is dangerous and reveals how our ancestors understood something we’ve forgotten: the sun is essential medicine for optimal health.
From the Nobel Prize-winning heliotherapy practices of 1902 to modern understanding of vitamin D receptors and mitochondrial function, this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Pedram Shojai explores how proper sun exposure can transform your health, mood, and vitality. Nadine shares practical protocols for safely building up your sun tolerance, the critical importance of circadian light exposure, and why those expensive chemical sunscreens and fake tans might be doing more harm than good than we ever imagined.
Listen to the episode on Spotify here or on your favorite podcast platform and check out the Urban Monk Academy here.
Podcast show notes:
Key Topics Covered
The Historical Truth About Sun Therapy (00:02:00 – 03:00)
- 1902: Neils Fein won Nobel Peace Prize for heliotherapy (sun therapy)
- 1920s Swiss hospitals: Used sunbathing to treat rickets and bone malformations in the Alps
- Dr. August Valier’s protocols: Safe sun exposure guidelines without sunglasses
- How sun therapy was mainstream medicine before chemical industry influence
The Science Behind Sun’s Healing Power (00:02:00 – 06:00)
- Thousands of vitamin D receptors throughout the body yearn for sun exposure
- Unfilled vitamin D receptors allow bacterial infiltration, compromising immunity
- 3,000+ gene expressions require sufficient vitamin D for optimal function
- Water-soluble vitamin D from sun vs. fat-soluble supplements creates different health outcomes
- Sun produces antimicrobial peptides, cathelicidins, and healthy cholesterol forms
Understanding Light Geography & Timing (00:06:00 – 10:00)
- 33rd parallel rule: Below this line = year-round UV exposure advantage
- 44th parallel and above: No UV from October to mid-February (like Ontario)
- Morning red light window: Infrared exposure before UV kicks in (around 8:30 AM)
- Vitamin D apps: Track geographical location and skin exposure for optimal dosing
- “20-minute rule” only applies at equatorial regions between 11 AM – 1 PM
Circadian Rhythm Optimization & Light Exposure (00:12:00 – 17:00)
- Morning red light generates mitochondrial melatonin (95% of melatonin story)
- Mitochondrial melatonin acts as natural sun protection for later UV exposure
- Blue light isolation creates “hollow” artificial light without life-sustaining infrared
- Bright days, dark nights principle: Amber lighting after sunset, eliminate blue/green light
- DNA testing improvements: Stable telomeres from proper circadian rhythm practices
Debunking Sunscreen & Cancer Myths (00:17:00 – 22:00)
- 3,000+ diseases manifest from insufficient vitamin D, including juvenile diabetes
- Melanoma paradox: Those closer to equator have LESS melanoma risk, not more
- 1980s studies: Fluorescent lighting linked to higher cancer rates than sun exposure
- Cochrane review findings: More sunscreen use correlated with more cancer, freckles, and moles
- Sunscreen danger: Separates UVA/UVB rays, creating isolated harmful exposure
The Chemical Sunscreen Problem (00:21:00 – 22:00)
- Oxybenzone: Not carcinogenic until exposed to sunlight (banned in EU, prevalent in North America)
- Sunscreen blocks body’s natural warning system (redness) leading to overexposure
- Window exposure danger: Glass filters UVB but allows UVA, creating imbalanced exposure
- Full spectrum sun exposure essential for vitamin D production and cellular health
Overcoming Sun Sensitivity & Photophobia (00:23:00 – 25:00)
- Sunrise/sunset therapy: Safe way to rebuild sun tolerance gradually
- First 45 minutes: Safe to look directly at sun during sunrise
- Barefoot earth connection: Enhances solar benefits and grounds the body
- Spring protocol: Start slowly, build melanin naturally throughout season
- Winter sunbathing: Continue practice even without UV to maintain adaptation
Skin Microbiome & Sun Connection (00:25:00 – 26:00)
- Skin microbiome system requires sun communication for optimal function
- Sun exposure communicates to gut microbiome through skin pathways
- Cathelicidins and antimicrobial peptides: “Good stuff for immune system” created by sun
- Skin functions as part of innate immune system, enhanced by solar exposure
Breaking Free from Chemical Programming (00:26:00 – 30:00)
- 1950s shift: “Better living through chemistry” replaced natural sun wisdom
- Modern diet deficiencies combined with sun avoidance create weakness and sickness
- Immediate benefits: Elevated mood, stronger immunity, better constitution
- Cosmic elements: Air, water, sunshine, earth are how we “revive our being to be alive”
- Modern convenience allows selective engagement with elements without total exposure
The Fake Tan Paradox (00:30:00 – 33:00)
- Cultural contradiction: We recognize tans as healthy but achieve them artificially
- Chemical fake tans: Dangerous compounds like dihydroxyacetone create cancer risk
- Cosmic joke reality: Natural sun exposure vs. expensive chemical alternatives
- Bifurcation of choices: Full synthetic approach vs. reconnecting with nature
- Economic irony: Wealthy now have outdoor access while others trapped in cubicles
Key Statistics & Facts
- 200+ years of successful heliotherapy before sun fear programming
- 3,000+ gene expressions dependent on adequate vitamin D
- 95% of melatonin story involves mitochondrial production, not just pineal gland
- 33rd parallel as geographical dividing line for year-round UV access
- First 45 minutes of sunrise safe for direct sun gazing
Resources Mentioned
- Book: “Renegade Beauty” by Nadine Artemis (print and audiobook available)
- Website: LivingLibations.com
- Apps: Vitamin D tracking apps and circadian rhythm monitoring apps
- Research: Cochrane review studies on sunscreen effectiveness and safety
- Historical reference: Lazen, Switzerland hospital images and Dr. August Valier protocols
Action Steps for Listeners
- Start with sunrise/sunset exposure to rebuild sun tolerance
- Use vitamin D tracking apps to optimize exposure based on location
- Implement bright days, dark nights with proper lighting choices
- Eliminate blue/green light after sunset, use amber lighting
- Try barefoot earth connection during sun exposure for enhanced benefits
- Build melanin gradually starting in spring with consistent practice
Quotable Moments
“Our skin literally is designed to be exposed to the Sun’s rays. We have vitamin D receptors, thousands all over our body, and they yearn to receive and to be brimming with vitamin D.”
“Nobody is getting cancer from having a tan. It’s repeated burning. And also what body are you bringing to that sunshine? It does take two to tango.”
“Those gifts from the cosmos of air, the ether, water, sunshine, earth – that’s how we revive our being to be alive. It’s not going to be another bottle of cream or another vitamin.”
Guest Information
Nadine Artemis – Author of “Renegade Beauty” and founder of Living Libations
- 20+ years advocating for natural sun exposure and holistic health
- Lives on 3-acre lakeside property in Ontario, Canada (44th parallel)
- Expert on circadian rhythm optimization and natural skincare
- Advocate for reconnecting with cosmic elements and natural living
Host: Dr. Pedram Shojai – Documentary filmmaker and wellness advocate
- Creator of “Origins” and other health-focused documentaries
- Expert on natural health approaches and environmental toxicity
- Married to a holistic dentist, advocates for oral health revolution
This episode is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult with qualified healthcare practitioners for personalized guidance.
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