| Chica/Christine:
1. Psoralens were used (by the dermatology community) at one time to "enhance" the tanning process.
2. The leaves of the "Ammi majus" plant was, according to legend, chewed by Cleopatra to help her achieve the dark and sexy look she used to seduce Marc Anthony (and her two brothers whom she married!).
3. We now know that 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), when "activated" by UVR, causes "cross-linking" of the DNA that is mutagenic (cancer producing). [Note: Research shows that UVR in conjunction with 8-MOP can "inactivate" the AIDS virus in Blood Bank blood.]
4. Whether or not the psoralens in food will also cause "cross-linking and, therefore, become mutagenic when exposed to UVR is not known. It is known that exposure to UVR after ingesting these foods lowers your tolerance to UVR with regards to sunburning (or, raises your sensitivity to UVR if you prefer to look at it from this side of the equation).
5. Some people become more sensitive to UVR (have less tolerance to UVR) when they ingest certain foods or drugs but most do not.
6. The "bottom line" is that people who become more sensitive to UVR (less tolerant) when they ingest certain foods and/or drugs would, IMHO, be better off to avoid UVR (inside or outside) after they ingest these substances to be safe.
Hope this helps.
Don
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