The Link Between Diet and Acne

. . There is growing evidence suggesting a link between diet and acne. For years health professionals have gone back and forth about the role of diet in relation to acne.These debates about acne are almost as common as the skin problem itself. The exact cause of acne is unknown, but hormones, genetics, and emotional stress play a role. Several new studies have examined the possible link between diet and acne — especially carbohydrates and dairy products. The following is information provided by Whitney P. Bowe MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, and lead author of the article, “Diet and Acne,” published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: HIGH-GLYCEMIC INDEX FOODS COULD WORSEN ACNE "The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate-rich foods based on their potential to increase blood sugar levels. Foods with higher glycemic index values raise blood sugar levels much quicker than foods with lower glycemic index values. The glycemic load (GL) takes into account both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates being consumed in a serving of food. For example, high-GI foods include white bread, chips, and white potatoes; low-GI foods include multi-grain bread, peanuts, vegetables, and beans. For years, there has been speculation that high-GI foods could contribute to acne. Recent research includes: A study of 23 Australian males ages 15-25 who followed a strict, low-glycemic load (LGL) diet provides the strongest evidence available of an association between glycemic load and acne. Specifically, this group of males experienced significant improvement in acne severity by adhering to a LGL diet. However, the participants in the LGL group also lost weight, which means the LGL diet may not solely be attributed to the outcome. Other evidence of the link between diet and acne stems from patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome because acne is a common symptom of this condition. Specifically, studies have shown that acne improves when these patients are treated with medications that improve their body’s ability to regulate or control blood sugar, and a low-carbohydrate diet also has been shown to stabilize these patients’ hormones, which can cause breakouts." So from this information it seems that the best diet for acne is low-glycemic -- not a bad diet for anyone, really whether they suffer from acne or not. A healthy balance of nutrients contributes to optimum overall health, which also contributes healthy skin. Not that food is a cure-all, but in conjunction with a doctor's care proper nutrition will likely put those who suffer from acne ahead of the game. Here's a few final dietary tips for abolishing (or at least abating) acne: 1. Watch for food triggers/keep a diary to find any patterns. 2. Follow your Doctor's treatment routine. It takes a long time to get rid of pesky acne, often up to 3 months. 3. Eat a low-glycemic diet, or at the least a healthy, balanced one. www.aad.org.

What is Differin?

Differin is an alternative to powerful but potentially dangerous acne medications like that Accutane and Retin-A. Differin has a stable chemical structure that makes it compatible with many other acne treatments and that minimizes undesirable side effects. It works the same way as Accutane and Retin-A but with far fewer side effects. When applied to the skin,only a small amount enters the bloodstream. This makes it safer for everyone, but especially for pregnant women. Sometimes Differin is combined with Benzoyl Peroxide if the ancne is anti-biotic resistant. Differin's effects are similar to those of retinol and Retin-A, and Accutane. All of these products desensitizes the skin to inflammation. Doctors often recommend combining Differin with other treatments to make it an even better weapon against acne. For example, the combination of Differin and the antibiotic clindamycin helps the skin absorb about twice as much clindamycin, killing far mor bacteria. Differin is also used with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel. A stronger concentration of benzoyl peroxide used with Differin. However, this is likely to cause burning, stinging, itching, and peeling. Also, there are doctors who recommend using both Differin and Retin-A. While this combination opens the skin, it can also cause dryness, so that there are always a small number of newly forming blemishes—unless the user follows a complete skin care routine including daily cleansing and use of moisturizer plus weekly exfoliation and microdermabrasion with a system like Exposed Skin Care. (Info from "Facing Acne")

For females, sometimes the solution to acne is birth control pills. Doctors sometimes prescribe oral contraceptives which block androgen receptors. Both oral contraceptives. These work internally to mediate the effects of male hormones, which are crutial to the development of acne. Both options come with numerous side effects and should be carefully researched and then discussed with a trusted physician before coming to an educated decision on whether this works for you. Some of the side effects include nausea, headache, breast tenderness, bloating, fatigue, irritability, mood changes, dizziness, weight gain, loss of libido, high blood pressure, and vaginal infections. Less common and more serious side effects include blood clots, heart problems and possibly increased cancer risk.Your doctor can give you more information.

The Latest in Acne Treatment

Acne has always been troublesome to so many people of all ages. Acne is becoming common in pre-teens, too, says Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, the lead author of a recent AAP report. One study of 9- and 10-year-old girls found that more than three-quarters had pimples. While there is a wide range of medications that can clear up even severe cases of acne, some are comsidered as unsafe to certain populations of people. According to the AAP, mild acne often can be treated with over-the-counter remedies. Washes, toners and lotions containing benzoyl peroxide are a good starting point. "It's a pretty effective agent, especially for mild acne," Eichenfield said. Benzoyl peroxide is also the most common ingredient in over-the-counter acne fighters. Another common one is salicylic acid,a derivetive pf asprin, but it hasn't been studied yet. However, when tested head-to-head against benzoyl peroxide, Eichenfield said, the latter has won out. Tougher acne could be treated with topical retinoids -- prescription medications like Retin-A, Avita and Differin. They are vitamin A derivatives and work by speeding up skin cell turnover, which helps unclog pore Sometimes oral antibiotics are used because acne is bacterial in nature. When pores become clogged with oil and skin cells, bacteria can grow in the pore and cause inflammation. Antibiotics kill this bacteria. When acne is severe and other treatments have failed, the AAP said, doctors and parents might consider the prescription drug isotretinoin -- brand-names including Roaccutane. The drug is very effective, but it can cause birth defects, so girls and women have to use birth control and get regular pregnancy tests if they go on the medication. Isotretinoin also has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, depression and suicidal thoughts in some users -- although it's not clear the drug is to blame because severe acne itself can cause depression. whether or not food plays a role in acne has been debated for years.It was thought at one time that chocolate and fied foods could cause acne. REcent research, however, is revisiting the role of food in acne. It may be that a "clean" diet consisting of pure, whole foods is better for the skin than the typical American diet of processed foods. Learn more about acne from the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. SOURCES: Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief, pediatric and adolescent dermatology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego; David Pariser, M.D., Pariser Dermatology, Norfolk, Va.; May 2013 Pediatrics