Acne is a common skin condition that creates not only discomfort and embarrassment, but can also cause pain and irritation. Many common misconceptions surround the causes and prevention of acne. These include the affect of diet on both the frequency and the severity of acne breakouts.
Acne is a common complaint of adolescents and teenagers, but many men and women struggle with the condition throughout their adult lives. More than ninety percent of the world's population is affected by acne at some point in their lives. The condition is not limited by age, gender or race. Acne is the most common skin disorder treated by dermatologists, with the majority of patients being teenagers and adults.
Some scientific research has suggested that acne is actually caused by physiological factors including genetics and hormones. Others believe that environmental factors such as bacteria can cause breakouts. For many years there has been some debate as to whether diet contributes to the acne condition, and to what degree. In fact, the issue of acne due to diet has been in the spotlight for many years.
Although some dermatologists claim that diet has nothing to do with the formation of acne, many still hold that acne and diet do indeed have a certain link. It does appear that the food we eat may well play a role in the development of acne.
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.
There have been studies conducted on residents in New Guinea, the island of Papua and in Paraguay that suggest more proof of the link between acne and diet. The results of this study led researchers to believe that a diet rich with grains may contribute to acne formation. Limited grains can have optimal health benefits, and a low-grain diet can be beneficial in the prevention of acne.
The acne and diet issue remains one of the hottest topics in the medical field, however lack of funding may hinder the amount of actual research that is being conducted. Some critics claim that doctors and dermatologists will claim that diet does not affect acne, so that they may sell more pharmaceutical treatments.
There is no question that many diseases are the result of poor nutrition. On the other hand, a healthy diet is paramount to overall well being. Therefore, it only stands to reason that eating a proper diet will be beneficial in having healthy skin. If you are struggling in a constant battle against acne, try fighting the physiological factors by eating a proper diet, and take on the environment factors by using the right treatments. It's a two-handed approach that can help you win the fight against acne.
Contributor Selena Rymore is a writer for numerous Internet sites, on
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