Nutrition and Diet for Acne

Acne is a common skin condition caused by a buildup of sebum by the sebaceous glands. It causes spots to develop on the skin, usually on the face, back and chest, which can become inflamed and infected.

Diet can have a very strong influence over acne. It is not the only factor, there are genetic and hormonal influences too; but a very fatty diet or one lacking in certain nutrients can make a person more prone to acne.

Nutrition is always a factor which should be considered in managing acne. If you find that a certain kind of food seems to aggravate your acne, try removing it from your diet. Removing entire food groups from your diet, however, is not healthy, so is not recommended.

Beneficial foods

  • Oily fish (anchovies, carp, herring, mackerel, pilchards, salmon, sardines, sprats, trout, tuna (fresh), whitebait and shellfish)
  • Chia, flaxseeds and hemp seeds are good sources of vegetarian Omega 3 oils
  • Organic rapeseed, oil, olive and extra virgin olive oil for cooking and dressings
  • Antioxidant rich bright coloured fruits and vegetables, commonly found in brightly coloured orange, yellow and red items
  • Zinc rich foods; pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shellfish (particularly oysters), wheatgerm, tahini, mushrooms, spinach and meats
    Zinc is an essential mineral for skin health, it helps regulates hormone production and can be beneficial for controlling excess sebum production from the sebaceous glands thus preventing acne breakouts and controlling oily skin. It is also good for dry skin as through hormonal activity as it can increase oil production

Common triggers

  • Sugars
  • Alcohol
  • Processed foods
  • Nutrient deficient diet
  • Omega 3: Omega 6 imbalance
  • Saturated / trans fats
  • Allergies / Intolerances
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Pasteurized dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are typically what people gravitate towards for their source of calcium. Nevertheless, the ingredients found in these items might make your acne worse. The reason being, they can interfere with your hormonal balance. Most commercially-sourced dairy products contain their own source of hormones which, when absorbed into the bloodstream, can affect acne.
  • Omega 6 oils such as vegetable sunflower and corn oils. Olive and rapeseed oils are good alternatives to use

Supplements

Appropriate supplements can be helpful in managing acne and improving the health of the skin. The most helpful supplements are as follows, but this is not a comprehensive list and every patient is different:

  1. Zinc
    This fundamental mineral plays a strong role in cell division and regrowth. In other words, it accelerates the development of skin cells necessary for clear skin. When bacteria get into a blocked pore it can create irritation that causes your pimples to turn red. It is important to note that when you have acne, your body is more likely to react severely to these irritating bacteria than for those with “normal skin”. Therefore, it is important for acne sufferers to include zinc in the diet because it works to reduce the inflammatory response to bacteria
  2. Probiotics
    Probiotics create a healthy or “good” bacteria that helps to digest your food and better absorb the nutrients. When your gut does not have enough of this good bacteria, it can wreak havoc on your entire body and cause inflammation, including on your skin. By taking a probiotic and creating good bacteria you can balance your gut and utilize the nutrients from your food, in return reducing irritation of your skin.
  3. Astaxanthin
    Krill oil is derived from a species of crustacean and contains omega-3 fatty acids in combination with the antioxidant astaxanthin. The fats found in krill oil are thought to help build up healthy cell membranes as well as decrease both local swelling and inflammation of deeper skin layers associated with acne. In tandem, astaxanthin works to fight free-radicals and prevent damage from the sun and other environmental assailants.
  4. Chlorella
    It is thought to boost the immune systemand help fight infection. It has been shown to increase the good bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which helps to treat ulcers, colitis, diverticulosis and Crohn’s disease. It is also used to treat constipation, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Chlorella has been used to treat cancer and also help protect the body from the effects of cancer radiation treatment.
  5. Vit B Complex
    The B complex vitamins (a group of eight nutrients including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12) help convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy, as well as assist in their digestion. By doing so, the B vitamins improve immunity, help build the nervous system and contribute to our overall health. Most notably, the full spectrum is needed on an ongoing basis to preserve the integrity of the skin, hair, eyes and liver.
  6. Magnesium and calcium
    Magnesium is an important mineral that helps with the most basic pathways and reactions in the body. In addition to increasing cell growth and protein production, it helps keep hormone levels balanced and the nervous system running smoothly— both of which are very important for preventing acne. Furthermore, this powerful mineral directly reduces skin inflammation by lowering the plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, a protein connected to the inflammation process within your body. By taking magnesium with calcium you have a better chance of improving the absorption and utilization of this mineral.

Oligoscan Testing

Some heavy metals may play a role in increasing acne flares and some minerals have ability to reduce it. To determine which supplement would be most beneficial, we firstly carry out Oligoscan advanced cellular testing, which uses spectrometry to measure minerals and heavy metals in the tissue. Oligoscan advanced cellular testing offers a unique insight into the body’s inner health using the very latest ‘spectrophotometry’ scanning technology. This involves no blood or urine sample. The scanning device is placed on the patient’s palm, where it measures intracellularly to assess the amount of trace elements and minerals in the blood

The test measures:

  • Mineral deficiencies (due to diet and food choices)
  • Accumulation of heavy metals in the body
  • Anti-oxidant levels

This detailed information means that the doctor can prescribe any appropriate supplements or treatment, depending on the results. Results are instant, so nutrition and supplements can be considered as part of the patient’s overall treatment programme.

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