Eliminate Acne By Changing Your Diet Plan

Rather than attack acne through superficial solutions, Functional Medicines takes a roots-deep approach to acne and other skin problems. From that perspective, oxidative stress triggers inflammation, which in turn contributes to acne and a host of other problems.

Free Radicals are dangerous because they damage or oxidize the molecules and cells throughout our bodies. The damage is called oxidative stress. More damaged cells equal more oxidative stress or “rusting”.

Your diet plan is the root cause of most acne. Along with a high-processed, high-sugar, high-dairy diet, studies show nutrition-related lifestyle factors can contribute to and make acne worse.

In fact, the two most common culprits to two are:

1. Sugar (including flour). Sugar raises insulin levels, which promotes the production of testosterone in women, and inflammation in general, causing acne. Large randomized prospective controlled trials (the gold standard of medical research) found people who had higher sugar intake and a high glycemic load diets (more bread, rice, cereal, pasta, sugar and flour products of all kinds) had significantly more acne.
2. Dairy consumption. Hormones (including growth hormones) in dairy contribute to acne. Two large controlled trials found cow’s milk increased both the number of people who got acne and its severity.

Other acne-triggering dietary culprits include processed fats like trans fats, which increase arachidonic acid levels and compete with omega-3 fats in the body, leading to more inflammation and acne.

10 Ways to Eliminate ACNE

1. Go low glycemic. Cut out all sugar and processed food. Opt instead for whole, real, fresh foods, which tend to be lower glycemic. One randomized controlled trial showed a low-glycemic-load diet improved in acne vulgaris patients.
2. Eliminate food sensitivities. That includes gluten, dairy and processed foods, but also processed soy products, nuts, citrus and other culprits. An elimination diet can become very powerful here.
3. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Foods like wild-caught fish, turmeric, ginger, green tea, dark purple and red foods such as berries, green foods like dark leafy vegetables, and barnyard-raised eggs all help reduce inflammation that contributes to acne.
4. Fix your gut. Taking Probiotics (such as lactobacillus), prebiotics, and digestive enzymes can improve acne. Work with an integrative physician to correct leaky gut and other gut issues.
5. Stress less. Chronic stress causes acne flare-ups by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress, raising cortisol and depleting zinc, magnesium, and selenium, which help control acne. Stress also causes poor dietary choices. You can manage stress through meditation, yoga, saunas, massage, biofeedback, aromatherapy, and more. Relaxing is anti-inflammatory.
6. Address nutritional deficiencies. These include zinc, omega-3 fats, and some anti-inflammatory omega-6 fats like evening-primrose oil, which can boost immunity, reduce inflammation and reduce acne. Saw palmetto, most often used for prostate health, can reduce facial hair and acne in women. Take 320 mg twice a day, once with breakfast and once with dinner.
7. Get great sleep. Studies show sleep loss contributes to inflammation, which feeds the flames of acne and numerous other issues. Those are among the many reasons you want to aim for eight hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep every night.
8. Get more antioxidants.  Antioxidant levels are low in acne patients, especially vitamins A and E, which are critical for skin health. People who eat more fruits and vegetables (containing more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds) have less acne.
9. Exercise regularly. Among other benefits, exercise helps improve insulin function, reduces inflammation and boosts self-confidence.
10. Choose skin care products wisely. There are some good skin care products out there. Just make sure they aren’t toxic or otherwise harmful. Advanced Laser Clinic offers free consultations here inside Kare Health & Wellness.

Let Kare Health & Wellness help you get on the path to GREAT Health.