Diet and Acne

 

Does Diet Affect Acne? 

We have all been told in school that food does not cause acne. It's difficult to form a substantial conclusion about the subtle influences of diet on any disease. The average American diet contains so many different elements, and these elements work in so many complex combinations that isolating and testing any one factor on a human subject is nearly impossible.  The vast variety of chemicals that modern food processing has forced on our diets leaves us lost in a sea of dietary influences, most of which we know nothing about. We are finding out each day about new manufactured ingredients that are affecting our body but have been around for years.

 Iodine

"Excessive, long-term ingestion of iodide (also known as iodine), whether in drugs or in food, can induce acne. Once iodine enters the body and mixes into the bloodstream, excess is excreted through the oil glands.  As it is excreted, it irritates the pores and causes acne flare-ups  Iodine is especially irritating to the susceptible pores of acne-prone people, but in large enough amounts can induce acne in anyone.  In persons with existing acne, such eruptions occur much more rapidly and intensely than in non-acne-prone individuals and the flare-ups joins already diseased skin."

What Is Iodine In?

1) In Salt- Years ago nutritionists feared that average American diets lacked adequate iodine, particularly in the Midwest.  They wanted to reduce the incidence of goiter, an enlarged thyroid, which is a result of iodine deficiency. Therefore, iodine was added to table salt, and now in large amounts in processed food.

2) In Seafood- Not all seafood is high in iodine.  Kelp has the highest amount of iodine, followed by squid, crab, sole, and clams.

3) Fruits and Vegetables- It is best to say away from onions, asparagus, broccoli and wheat germ if you suffer from acne.  Where vegetables come from also is important.  Those grown in iodine rich soil, such as California and Florida, will have higher levels of iodine.

4) Milk- I don't recommend drinking milk in the first place, not even organic milk.  Milk does not naturally contain iodine, but researchers were surprised to find high levels of iodine in it.  Researchers found the source to be the cowlicks that contain salt and were finding their way into the milk.

5) Beef- Tests show even higher levels of iodine in beef and especially in the cow's liver.  The source again has to be the cowlick salt.

6) Drinking Water- It's now added into our bottled water.

7 Junk Foods and Processed Foods- Are too high in sodium and refined sugar.

8) Vitamins, Mineral Pills, and Food Supplements- Look to see if your vitamins or protein diet powders contain iodine or kelp.  If so, discontinue if you or someone you know suffers from acne.

Foods Containing Hormones

Any food containing high amounts of hormones or hormone-like substances could create a problem. Peanut oil, corn oil, and wheatgerm oil contain high amounts of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Milk, yogurt, cheese, and meat all contain hormones from another source.  Ingested male hormones can stimulate your sebaceous glands, as do the hormones your body produces naturally.