Don’t eat that, you’ll get zits! We’ve all heard it; from parents, friends or even the family doctor. But the fact is, even after intensive study, scientists have never found a connection between diet and acne. Not chocolate. Not French fries. Not pizza.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a proper diet is critical for improving anti-oxidants for healthy skin, however theyalso note that greasy or sugary foods really don’t cause acne. These tips are important not just for yound people but also for adult acne treatment.
Likewise, research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concurred, diet plays no role in acne treatment in many patients, even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should make a practice of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so what’s good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, also.
Acne Prevention & Diet
There’s a wide variety of nutrients present in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body, and therefore healthy skin. Get wise to these substances, and you’ll increase your chances of conquering your acne.
Vitamin A
Naturally occurring Vitamin A, or retinol, is found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. The Vitamin A produced by plants is called Beta-carotene, and is found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetable such as carrots, yams, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. Extremely high doses of Vitamin A are toxic, so don’t take too much of it.
Vitamin B-2
Stress has been proven to worsen existing cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often helpful in alleviating stress. Foods having a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin B-3
Found in peanuts, eggs, avocados, liver and lean meats, Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and can help you metabolize protein, sugar & fat, improving your energy through proper consumption of food.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can be found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. A strong antioxidant, it protects your cells from the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism.
Zinc
Even in trace amounts, the antioxidant zinc is known to boost the immune system, enhancing overall health, which needless to say is reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms.
Know your own personal triggers. Since acne is diverse for everyone, there could be certain foods that can cause flare-ups in your skin. Clearly, these foods needs to be avoided. You may also want to check your vitamin supplements for their iodine content; while normal amounts of iodine have not been proven to affect skin, amounts higher than the RDA of 150 mcg may irritate your acne. Overall, use your common sense. Stay well hydrated and consume a healthy, balanced diet, but don’t hesitate to indulge your cravings once in a while.
Altering your diet for acne removal is important but you should also discover one of the best acne products to use in combination with a change in diet.