|
Healthy Bodies Result in Healthy Skin. Although there are no studies that give hard evidence, experience says that healthy bodies will manifest themselves in glowing, clear skin. A diet that keeps us healthy inside will keep skin looking good, while a poor diet results in sallow, dry or acne-prone complexions. Blood Sugar May Be a Factor in Preventing Acne. One way to clear skin seems to be keeping blood sugars steady. Diets heavy in sugars and carbohydrates cause the body to secrete insulin, which may play a role in acne. A 2007 study of 43 acne-prone boys tested this theory. Half the boys ate diets high in carbohydrates, and the other half ate a low-glycemic diet. The boys on the carbohydrate-restricted diet saw an improvement in their acne. There is a caution to this study. Other experiments have failed to show the same link, so the matter is inconclusive. In countries where people eat diets low in carbohydrates, acne does not seem to be an issue, but the tests are not scientifically agreed upon. Still, it might be worth a try if other methods of clearing acne have failed. A high –glycemic diet (things you should not eat) includes white bread, pasta, rice, low fiber cereal and baked goods. Things you can substitute are fruits, vegetables with deep color, whole and unprocessed grains and legumes. Eating small meals every two to three hours helps regulate blood sugar too. Dairy and Acne This is another theory that has shown inconclusive in tests, but dairy products, at least in some people, seem to cause or aggravate acne. The reason is that milk contains compounds that are similar to testosterone. During adolescence, when there is a rise in testosterone, boys experience skin breakouts. If you decide to cut down or eliminate dairy products from your diet, it is important to replace then with a calcium supplement and by eating calcium-rich foods. Oily Foods Might Trigger Acne Although oily foods have not been proven to cause acne, the elimination or restriction of fatty oils in the diet can benefit health as a whole. Nutritionists recommend using less vegetable oil such as safflower, corn and even canola oil. What Specific Foods Cause Acne The main causes of acne, according to the Mayo Clinic, are excessively oily skin, dry skin and bacteria. Eating foods rich in vitamin A seems to retard the growth of bacteria. These foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, kale and spinach. Still, the clinic admits, diet may worsen skin breakouts. No single food causes skin outbreaks in every person, but there are several foods that are noted by researchers. Chocolate is at the top of the list, followed by spicy foods. Cheese and nuts are next. The list also includes peanut butter and dairy foods as well as fast foods and things like pizza and French fries. Skin care experts recommend restricting one at a time, for a period of a week, to see if there is any effect on acne. Good Health Radiates Through Good Skin. Diets that help regulate diabetes and heart disease contain many of the beneficial foods listed. The benefits of these eating programs include weight loss and cholesterol management. There is nothing to lose by altering your diet, but you could gain a clear skin. Peter Wendt is a blogger from Austin, Texas. He suffers from mild acne and goes to River Place Mohs & Dermatologic Surgery Center for consultations.
Related Articles -
skin care, healthy skin,
|
