Clean Up Your Diet and Clear Your Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that causes discomfort, embarrassment and, in some cases, pain and irritation. There are many misconceptions surrounding the causes and prevention of acne, including how diet can affect the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.

While acne has traditionally been a common complaint of adolescents and teenagers, many people struggle with the condition throughout their adult lives. Acne affects more than ninety percent of the world's population. It is not limited by age, or race, or sex. Acne is the most common skin disorder treated by dermatologists, with most patients being teenagers and adults.

Scientific research has suggested that acne is often caused by physiological factors such as hormones and genetics. Then again, other reports show that bacteria and other environmental factors can cause breakouts. The debate on how diet contributes to acne has also raged for many years. The potential relationship between diet and acne has been a topic of speculation for many years.

Some dermatologists claim that diet has nothing to do with the formation of acne. On the other hand, many doctors believe that acne and diet do indeed have a certain link. On the surface, it appears that the food we eat does play a role in acne development.

Studies indicate that when we eat refined carbohydrates and sugars we can experience a surge of both insulin and an insulin-like growth factor known as IGF-1. When IGF-1 is released in the body, it can lead to an overload of the male hormone called androgen. This hormone is believed to be one of the strongest factors in the formation of acne.

Proponents of the acne-diet connection maintain that when an excess amount of male hormones is produced, the pores of the skin begin to secrete sebum, a greasy or oily substance that attracts acne-causing bacteria. This same process also triggers the IGF-1 to cause skin cells known as keratinocytes to duplicate and multiply. This activity can contribute even further to the formation of acne.

In New Guinea, Paraguay and the island of Papua, studies have contributed further to the link between diet and acne. The results of this particular study led researchers to believe that a diet rich with grains may actually contribute to acne. While some grains can optimize health benefits, a low-grain diet may also be beneficial in preventing acne.

Although the acne-diet issue remains one of the hottest topics in the medical field, lack of funding has hindered the amount of actual research that has been conducted. There have also been claims that certain doctors and dermatologists discount the diet and acne connection, choosing instead to sell more pharmaceutical treatments.

Poor nutrition contributes to many diseases. Of course, a healthy diet is important to overall well being, so it only stands to reason that eating a proper diet will help keep your skin healthy, too. If you find yourself in a constant battle against acne, remember to fight the physiological factors with a proper diet, and use the right treatments to combat the environmental aggravators.