How Food Affects Acne Breakouts
Posted on 01. Jan, 2009 by admin in Acne Prevention
A large number of us have heard that we should watch the food items we consume if we do not want to end up suffering from pimples and acne. For many years people have avoided such items as pizza, chocolate and fried foods, with thoughts that they were decreasing the number of outbreaks they were experiencing. However, this is not the case. A tremendous amount of study has failed to produce a link between a persons diet and the acne problems they experience.
The American Academy of Dermatology has stated that “A healthy diet is important for improving raw materials for healthy skin,” but they have also stated that foods that contain large amounts of grease and sugar will not cause acne. In a study performed that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it states “Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients…even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne.” This is not a green light however for you to eat tons of food items that contain a lot of fat and sugar. Eating a well balanced diet will ensure that you are taking care of not only the rest of your body but the largest of the organs of your body as well, your skin.
Healthy skin and the Nutrients you need – There are numerous nutrients that can easily be found in various foods that will promote a healthier body and healthy looking skin. Educating yourself on healthy nutrients can play a huge part in helping to control your acne.
Vitamin A – This vitamin known as retinal can be found in a variety of dairy products, fish oils and liver. Beta-carotene is a vitamin A that is produced in a variety of plants and found in food items like orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as apricots, carrots, and cantaloupe. It can also be found in some green vegetables such as spinach, parsley and kale. Be careful however because a large amount of vitamin A can be very toxic.
Vitamin B-2 – High levels of stress can aggravate existing outbreaks of acne, and this choice in a vitamin is known to reduce stress. A variety of foods that contain high amounts of B-2 would include eggs, green leafy vegetables, milk, whole grains, meat and fish.
Vitamin B-3 – This choice in a vitamin helps a great deal in improving circulation and it can also help in the promotion of healthier skin. It allows you to better be able to utilize the foods that you eat, which in turn can lower your cholesterol and it is helpful for metabolizing fat, protein and sugar that results in a higher energy level. It can be found in lean meats, eggs, liver, avocados and peanuts.
Vitamin E – Free radicals are continuously being produced in your body, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help your body better be able to fight back against many of the damaging problems that free radicals can cause. You can find this vitamin in vegetable oils, peanuts, broccoli, almonds, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
Zinc – Even when taken in small amounts zinc – an antioxidant, can provide you with a helpful boost to your immune system that can result in overall better health that is also noticeable in your skin. It can be found in food items such as mushrooms, eggs, nuts, and whole grains.
What are your triggers? – As every single persons body acts differently to a variety of foods, it is best to avoid the food items that you know to act as a trigger that brings on those frustrating acne outbreaks. It can also be helpful to check the levels of iodine that are in your vitamins you regularly take. Although recommended amounts of iodine have shown no bad affects on the skin, larger amounts that are above 150mcg have been known to increase aggravation to acne.
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