Style & Beauty >
Acne & Blemish
RSS FeedCan low-carb diets help reducing acne?
Results so far:
| Yes | 41% | 79 votes | Total: 192 votes | |
| No | 59% | 113 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesAcne is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands in the skin, particularly on the face. Increased production of sebum, obstruction of glands, and proliferation of bacteria are involved in this inflammation. It is thought that acne develops as the result of two hormones, namely dihydrotestosterone (an androgen-derivative) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1); both can induce acne-like skin changes when in excessively high blood amounts (Danby, 2008).
Acne can affect people of any age, but it is particularly frequent in Western world teenagers, where it can be found in as many as 80 to 95 percent (Cordain, 2002). The condition is easy to recognize; it appears like a skin eruption including several types of lesions: papules, pustules, blackheads and whiteheads (open and closed comedones), nodules, and scarring, usually on a background of red and greasy skin (seborrhoea). Nodules are deep-seated, can be painful and induce scarring. However, the main problem with acne is of psychological nature: disfigurement is often associated with feelings of low self-esteem, social anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
Interestingly, while acne is extremely common in Western countries, it appears to be quite rare in populations from islands like Greenland, Okinawa, and Kitavan (Smith, 2008); on the other hand, the prevalence of the disorder increased among eskimos after they started adopting elements of the Western way of life (Schaefer, 1971). Ethnic and other genetic characteristics may provide an explanation for the geographical distribution of acne, but lifestyle, including diet, could also play an important role. Although diet habits have been long involved in acne, there has been surprisingly little rigorous scientific research on this matter.
As early as in 1931, Campbell reported that impaired carbohydrate tolerance is associated with acne. For decades, based on this finding, as well as on some individual observations, dermatologists would generally recommend patients with acne a low-carb diet. In 1969, Fulton and co-workers made an experiment, in which they compared the effects of eating a bar of chocolate versus a "placebo" (i.e. neutral) bar, every day for a period of time. The experiment concluded that chocolate had no influence on acne, and this has become the common view of generations of physicians for years to come. However, Fulton's "placebo" bar was far from being neutral; in fact, it contained just as much sugar and fat as the chocolate bar!
In the past few years, the issue of carbohydrates and acne has returned to the attention of scientists, thanks to the works of Cordain and colleagues (2002, 2003, 2005), which demonstrated that high sugar intake (i.e. high "glycemic load") can induce hormonal changes that are commonly associated with acne, namely high peaks of insulin release that consequently stimulate an increase in blood levels of androgens and IGF-1. The implication of insulin in acne is further suggested by the high prevalence of acne in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, a disease characterized by high insulin and androgen levels (Franks, 2003).
The most significant evidence of a link between carbohydrates and acne has been provided very recently by the research of dr. Smith and colleagues from RMIT University of Melbourne, Australia. In 2007, they recruited 43 young men with acne, which they randomly assigned to a low-carb diet versus a high-carb diet. After 3 months, they observed a significant reduction in the number and severity of skin lesions in the first group, compared with the second group. Moreover, the low-carbohydrate diet was associated with a decrease in blood levels of androgens and IGF-1, which could be the key effect of this kind of diet. The findings of the Australian team are most interesting; however, further research to confirm these results is expected from others, as well.
Learn more about this author, Dr Sal Levy.
Click here to send Author comments or questions.
No
A low carb diet like Adkins or The Zone consists of high levels of animal protein such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs while having a low intake of carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables, and grain products. Think about this for a minute. Animal products are high in fat, calories, and cholesterol with zero fiber and little or no vitamins. Would that really be good for your skin?
On the other hand, plant foods are high in fiber and vitamins while being low in fat and calories and having no cholesterol. Your skin reflects your health. Would you be healthy on a high fat, high cholesterol, high calorie diet? So why would a low carbohydrate diet which is essentially high in fatty animal products and low in healthy plant foods positively affect your skin?
For clear, healthy skin many nutritionists and dermatologists recommend a diet of natural, healthy foods full of fiber, nutrients, and water that is low in fat and sugar with minimal to no intake of processed foods. This equates to whole grains, fruit, berries, vegetables, and lean protein sources like nuts, beans, soy, and seeds.
Avoid heavily processed foods like fast food, chips, French fries, hot dogs, hamburger, bacon, and other unhealthy foods. Stay clear of sugar, caffeine, and sodium. All of these harmful ingredients are found in processed foods. Stay away from caffeinated beverages, soda, and alcohol. Improving your skin through diet is gradual but will make a world of difference.
There are other ways to improve your skin alongside a healthy diet. Make sure to be well rested, most of us need at least seven to nine hours of sleep. Exercise will also add a glow to your skin. Do cardio exercise like walking quickly, running, hiking, riding a bike, swimming, rock climbing, dancing, martial arts, or boxing for at least twenty to thirty minutes, five or more days a week. Most importantly, discontinue use of all harmful substances like smoking, drugs, and alcohol that are known to not only damage your health but also your skin.
The final steps to perfect skin are washing with a good cleanser twice a day, exfoliate daily with a scrub, and moisturizing morning and night. Wear an oil free sunscreen or oil free moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher, every day. A monthly facial will also improve skin. If skin problems persist, hire a dermatologist and/or nutritionist.
Learn more about this author, Stephanie Heckman.
Click here to send Author comments or questions.
