Can Your Diet Clear Up Acne Breakouts?

Copyright 2006 Tony Buel

Conventional wisdom used to say that your diet (eating chocolate or greasy foods)

would result in an unwanted acne breakout. Later skin professionals and dermatologists

learned that there is no proven scientific connection between acne and food. But does

what you eat really have a direct influence on the status of your face?

The answer is 'no', a bad food diet does not 'directly' cause an acne breakout. But,

as most doctors will tell you, what you choose to put in your body will have a definite

effect on your health, including your skin health. Excessive caffeine, sugary foods,

and greasy, fatty snacks will all have a negative effect on our overall health. And if

your skin is particularly susceptible to acne, maintaining a poor diet will definitely

not help the situation. A bad food diet can therefore have an 'indirect' effect!

Choosing foods that are high in sugar, fat content, and refined carbohydrates can

all be damaging to your skin health. Studies have shown that too much sugar and refined

carbohydrates in your diet can lead to a surge in insulin. This can create the condition

known as IGF-1, where an increase in insulin creates the over-production of male hormones.

And excessive male hormones can produce an excess of sebum, the greasy stuff that can

clog your pores, attract bacteria, and create an environment conducive to acne! IGF-1 is

also believed to cause keratinocytes to multiply, which can wreak havoc on skin.

Saturated fats are the bad guys of the food world. Doctors have been warning of the

health consequences of consuming trans fats and saturated fats. The negative consequences

of saturated fats on the body are a weakening the immune system, promoting inflammation,

and for those prone to acne breakouts, raising the skin's oil production level. Keep your

body healthy and filled with good health-promoting nutrients for the best complexion possible.

You should strive to reduce saturated fats -they will certainly not help you in your battle against acne.

But all oils are not bad. There are also good oils which are actually conducive to

healthy skin. In fact, certain oils are absolutely essential. These essential fatty

acids reduce inflammation and help promote healthy skin, What oils should you add to

your regular diet? Fish Oil, olive oil, and flax oil are all good oils that should

become a part of your diet. Fish oil and flax oil in particular are recommended for

maintaining a glowing complexion.

What about vitamins and minerals? You should maintain a steady intake of vitamins and

minerals to promote a healthy skin-enriching diet. Vitamin A is paramount for promoting

healthy skin. Vitamin A is found in abundance in avocados and carrots. Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C,

and Zinc are other important nutrients for promoting a good complexion. An easy way to ensure

 that you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to help fight acne is to eat

a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and essential fatty acids.

One of the lesser-considered aspects of the food and acne debate is the role that food

allergies play in promoting acne. Some people experience severe cases of acne even if

they lead a very healthy diet and have never suffered from severe acne before. The cause

could be a food allergy of some kind.

Common causes of food allergies include excess sugar, dairy products, and certain

refined flours and grains. Avoid foods rich in iodine, which have been linked to acne

in the past. If you consume iodized salt, make the switch to sea salt. Iodine-rich foods

may include salt, liver, cheese, crabs, shellfish, clams, and kelp products. If you find

dairy products exacerbate your acne, consider switching to soy or rice milk and cheese products.

Whether certain foods cause an acne or whether these foods are just one of many contributing

factors is an ongoing debate. Much has been learned and much more has yet to be learned.

Add to this the fact that one individual may be affected by a certain food and another not at

all and you quickly learn there is no single answer, no magic bullet that will work for everyone.

But hopefully this information will help you determine what works for you!