Is Acne Linked To What We Eat?
Acne is considered to be a disease from the West as it is virtually non-existent in non-westernized societies where refined carbohydrates and sugar are rarely eaten. The findings from many studies make a strong case for the role of environmental factors such as diet in creating acne.
So how can we treat it? We go to the root cause. First of all, diet has EVERYTHING to do with your acne. If all you eat is junk food, then you’re going to have poor health. Garbage in, garbage out.
If you’re prone to acne and eat a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar, then you will most likely have it. Refined carbs and sugar from foods like burgers and fries cause a surge of insulin and insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1 in your body.
This surge can lead to excessive male hormones, which causes your pores to secrete sebum (oil) that attracts acne-promoting bacteria. IGF-1 also causes skin cells known as keratinocytes to multiply. That, too, is a process associated with acne.
Now what? Sugar is the problem. Reducing ALL foods that cause your body to make insulin is the key. That also means grain carbohydrates because they are converted into sugar in your body.
Even if you are consuming healthy, high quality grains, you must remember, they are still a carbohydrate, converting to sugar and raising insulin levels in your body. The point is to replace carbohydrates with vegetable carbohydrates that metabolize more slowly.
Food culprits for growing acne are: bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes and corn.
If you’ve been treating your acne with antibiotics, it’s very important to take a probiotic supplement. Antibiotics are well known for killing off ALL bacteria in the gut, and that’s not good. Re-establish a balance by taking a high quality probiotic.
Optimize vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is critical to having a healthy immune system. And a healthy immune system means virtually controlling any type of infection.
Getting enough sun to turn your skin a very light pink will produce as much as 20,000 IU’s of vitamin D, more than that causes damage to your skin and does NOT produce any more vitamin D.
Professional skin care products and facials designed to assist with the treatment of acne are a must.
There is no comparison between a drug store brand of skin care and the line carried by your esthetician. These products have more active ingredients than drug store brands or multi-level marketing brands. That means results are quicker and longer lasting.
Get facials designed to clear acne. Or rotate facials with lactic acid soft peels. You’ll be amazed at the results.
And of course, reducing carbohydrates, sugar, refined foods and stepping up the quality of your skin care will lead to clear, beautiful skin.
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