Acne and Nutrition. Can eating the right food clear up acne?
Are you over the age of 20 and have acne? If you do, you’re not alone.
Acne in adults is commonly called hormonal acne, and while medication can help prevent the appearance of zits and pimples marching across your face, gut health and good nutrition found in a healthy diet can tackle the root cause of most acne in adults.
In this article, we’ll look at what causes acne and what foods you should eat, and those you might want to avoid in order to clear up your complexion.
Reasons for Acne in Adults
Acne comes about because of clogged and inflamed pores that secrete sebum, an oily substance that helps keep the skin from drying out. Pimples form when pores are blocked by sebum.
While factors like genetics, taking certain medications, or wearing makeup that blocks pores can cause acne, hormones, systemic candida, the herpes virus also play a significant role in developing acne.
For adult women who experience hormonal acne, they are more likely to have breakouts when the following occur:
- After or during pregnancy
- Right before or during a period
- Right after starting or stopping birth control pills
- During menopause or perimenopause
Studies have shown that androgen hormones, which stimulate glands to produce more sebum, may play a key role in the formation of acne.
Stress and certain meds like progestin-only birth control can raise the level of androgen in the body. However, acne is also highly dependent on your diet and the kind of nutrients your body is absorbing.
Poor quality skin care products may also be to blame. Over time our skin gets clogged with dangerous chemicals that can be hidden in skin care products. Always read the ingredients and check expiration dates.
What Kind of Foods Cause Acne?
Foods with a High Glycemic Index (GI)
Studies have shown that eating foods with a high GI increases the likelihood of having acne by raising insulin levels which in turn raises sebum (oil) production.
GI is the rate blood sugar levels increase in the body caused by particular types of foods. Much of our diet in the West contains foods with a high glycemic index.
High GI foods include things like baked goods, candy, refined carbohydrates(e.g. white bread), soda, sugary cereals, and processed foods.
Dairy and dairy products can also contribute to adult acne in some people. Our food supply is no longer enzyme rich and some foods can be much harder for our body to process and use.
What Should I Eat to Avoid Acne?
Replacing a diet that has a high glycemic index and diary is the first step in getting rid of acne. And, as an added benefit, eating foods with a lower GI also helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Foods with a low GI include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Legumes
- Nuts (some people have problems with nuts)
- Minimally processed grains
We can do a simple blood test to determine if your body is struggling with good that is upsetting your skin.
Get results in as little as 7 days and let us help you create a better plan for your health and your skin.
If you want to learn more about how you’re diet may be causing your acne, contact us today