Avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice
cream
Avoid highly processed carbohydrates such as sodas,
candy, and baked goods–High carbohydrate foods
raise the level of insulin in the blood and elevated
insulevel may raise the levels of acne–causing hor-
mones in the body.
In addition to following the acne diet suggestions,
taking the following supplements are proposed to also
help prevent acne:
Vitamin A (may be toxic consult your doctor first)
Vitamin E
Vitamin B 6
Selenium
Zinc
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
ChromiumFunction
Opinions vary in the medical community as to
whether or not diet plays a significant role in acne.
Some common misconceptions about the connection
between food and acne breakouts have been dis-
proved. For example, according to several studies,
chocolate does not cause acne.. Acne is caused when
glands in the skin called sebaceous glands begin to
form sticky oil called sebum. These glands are stimu-
lated by hormones that become active at puberty
which is why acne occurs most often in adolescence
when these hormones are produced in abundance. The
oils formed by the sebaceous glands hold dead skin
cells preventing them form being sloughed off. As
these cells die, they create the perfect environment
for bacteria to grow. When these bacteria called
Acne Vulgaris become too plentiful, they will attempt
to erupt from the skin causing a pimple. Sometimes,
when the bacteria grow, the body sends white blood
cells to fight the infection. This natural reaction can
cause painful, large cysts to form in the deeper layers
of skin. Chocolate may not cause acne, but the fat and
sugar that usually accompanies chocolate may.
Eliminating certain foods from the diet and
increasing the amount of specific vitamins and miner-
als may help reduce the amount of sebum produced
and prevent acne breakouts. However, the interaction
between diet and acne is not a simple cause and effect
relationship. If an oily food is eaten, the oil does not
travel to the skin or cause it to be oily, but high levels
of fat in the blood may effect the production of hor-
mones such as testosterone. Higher levels of hormones
may cause acne to worsen.
Many high carbohydrate foods are believed to
worsen acne. Researchers have discovered that high
carbohydrate foods increase the levels of insulin in the
blood. High levels of insulin can raise hormone levels
in the blood.
Researchers recognize that not allcarbohydrates
are bad. Some carbohydrates digest more slowly than
others, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar after
eating. Researchers have developed a glycemic index
to rank carbohydrates and other foods according to
the effect they have on blood sugar.
The glycemic index is a scale of 0–100. Foods with
higher glycemic index ratings break down quickly and
cause a sharp spike in blood sugar. When blood sugar
rises quickly, the body produces a surge of insulin to
lower the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin is a
hormone that helps the body take sugar (glucose) out
of the bloodstream and put it into cells, where it can beKEY TERMS
Acne Vulgaris—An inflammatory disease of the
skin characterized by pimples and cysts that may
cause scarring in severe cases.
Carbohydrate—An organic compound that sup-
plies energy to the body.
Dermatologist—A doctor who specializes in the
treatment of the skin.
Glycemic index—A scale for rating how quickly
foods are converted to glucose or sugar by the
body. It describes the impact on insulin levels of
foods as they are digested.
Hormone—Substances in the body that regulate a
process such as metabolism or growth.
Insulin—A hormone that regulates the conversion
of food into glucose or sugar so it can be used by the
body for energy.
Metabolism—The process by which food is con-
verted into energy.
Nutritionist—A specialist in the field of diet and
nutrition.
PreMenstrual—The days prior to menstruation in a
woman.
Sebaceous glands—Small glands in the skin, usu-
ally part of hair follicles, that produce a fatty sub-
stance called sebum.
Sebum—The fatty substance secreted by sebaceous
glands. It helps moisturize and protect skin and
hair.Acne diet