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Skin solutions
We sat down with Dr. Alan Logan, co-author of The Clear Skin Diet to chat about the correlation between acne and poor nutrition. Read on to discover how what you eat can affect how you look.
By Lara Ceroni
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Is there a link between diet and acne?
A: Yes. Most patients with acne have consistently reported a link between diet and their skin. While older studies with major research flaws suggested there was no link between the two, recent, more scientifically rigorous studies have shown a connection that has been long suspected.
What changes to diet would you recommend?
A: Based on the emerging studies, a diet high in antioxidant and fiber-rich whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and lean meats appears to be the diet of choice. The diet to avoid then is one high in processed foods, sweet, sugary foods and beverages, fatty meats, baked goods with processed flour and little fiber, white breads, white rice and pasta. The common thread here is that processed foods high in sugar can spike blood sugar and insulin levels, and this in turn may promote sebum production and the acne process.
In addition, those with acne may want to do a 2 or 3 month trial elimination of milk. Recently, another study from Harvard has been published, the third in a row which has linked greater milk consumption with the severity and experience of acne. It may be the naturally occurring hormones that are in milk, or it may be that milk has the potential to raise insulin levels.
At this point researchers are unsure why milk has been consistently linked with acne but it may be worthwhile to try an elimination. Since calcium is vital for bone health it is worth pointing out that yogurt has not been connected with acne in any of the Harvard studies - it may be due to the presence of the friendly bacteria and fermentation.
Experimental studies are also suggesting value from green tea, perhaps due to the ability of its antioxidants to limit the production of hormones that would otherwise promote the acne process. Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes and tomato juice may also benefit acne by influencing hormone production.
Image courtesy of ImaxTree.com
Click here to read more.
Read more:
Beautiful skin now
Face odyssey
Fight aging without surgery
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