Western medicine is notoriously sophisticated when it comes to
drug formulations and targeted medicine approached from a
perspective based in deductive science. It has, however, been
largely a failure when it comes to being open to solutions to
medical problems which come from outside the realm of deductive
science. That is why for years western medicine failed to draw
ties between diet and acne. Medical development, and treatments
for acne sufferers, has progressed significantly within the last
15 years alone. Yet the problem of acne has remained largely
uncurbed, until recently.
In the past few years empirical studies first trickled and are
now flooding in indicating that there are links between acne and
diet. The basic premise of the research is that eating refined
carbohydrates and sugar is the ultimate culprit for many
individuals' problems with acne. The scientific theory holds
that when carbohydrates and sugar are metabolized they lead to
an increase in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called
IGF-1 production. This growth factor then causes male hormones
to begin being produced in the body in much greater quantities.
These growth hormones lead directly to an increase the amount of
sebum produced. Sebum is the grease-like substance that comes
out in your pores which people often describe as 'oily skin'.
Sebum then clogs your pores and ultimately causes to an
accumulation of bacteria in those pores which cannot escape
because of the sebum. This of course ultimately leads to acne.
That rather exhaustive explanation explains simply this; when
you consume refined carbohydrates and sugars you may aggravate
your skin, clog your pores, and develop acne.
So, what is the answer? Not surprisingly, it may be to cut back
on sugars and refined carbs such as sweets and pastas. These
foods provide us with very few of the nutrients we need while
providing us with a great deal more by way of clogged pores. In
fact, recent studies are showing that these foods may be so bad
for you that your body actually fights them like it does a
disease, through the production of white blood cells. Not only
do these white blood cell expenditures temporarily lower your
immune system, but they also cause your body to produce more
waste, some of which is exuded through your pores.
But it may surprise you to know that giving up chocolate and
spaghetti may not be the only way to go about getting clearer
skin. Rather, there are a number of foods, in particular raw
vegetables and antioxidants which can actively clear up skin.
These foods act as a sort of mop within the body to soak up
toxins, also known as free radicals, which are often expelled as
bacteria through the skin.
So in effect, following a better diet can attack the problem of
acne in two different ways, cutting back on sugars and refined
carbs will cause your body to produce less of the pore clogging
sebum, while increasing your intake of certain raw vegetables
will significantly cut down on the amount of bacteria which is
exuded through your pores. Combined, these two techniques will
cut down significantly your propensity to suffer acne.
About the author:
Ruth Stattmiller writes about natural health topics, including
acne
treatment.
