Search
logo
Search
The article is in preview mode

Diet and acne are facts and myths

Homepage Articles Diet and acne are facts and myths

Diet and acne are facts and myths

Acne is a chronic skin condition that mainly affects young people and adults, and can a diet affect the condition of the skin? It can cause discomfort, pain, and contribute to low self-esteem.

Table of Contents

1. What is acne?

In addition, there is inflammation involving naturally occurring bacteria on the skin, such as large red and pink changes that can be very painful. It is believed that about 80% of acne cases have a genetic basis, but studies are underway to investigate other factors that may contribute to the development of the disease.

2. Treatment for acne

Physiotherapeutic methods, such as skin extraction and cryotherapy, are also becoming increasingly popular, forcing the development of new treatments. More and more studies are also emerging suggesting that diet and lifestyle can have a significant effect on skin condition. Acne therapy is usually long-lasting and requires patience. An additional obstacle to effective treatment is increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Interestingly, he observes a positive effect of metformin (a drug used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus) on acne disorders.

3. Does diet affect acne?

It has been suggested that certain dietary ingredients may influence the course of the disease. Currently, acne is defined as a civilization disease or a consequence of a typical Western diet that is characterized by a high supply of simple sugars (e.g. in beverages), high-fat dairy products, and sweet foods. There are reports suggesting that a diet that eliminates carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, milk, and its derivatives may reduce the risk of developing acne (M.S. The first in the dietary roles of acne originated in the 1970s.

4. A diet with a high glycemic index may contribute to acute acne FACT

A study of men aged 1525 on a high-protein diet with a low glycemic index confirmed that their skin condition improved compared to that of those on high-GI diets. Consumption of products with a high IG contributes to an increase in blood sugar, resulting in an increased insulin production. A decrease in the number of acne changes and the size of insulin glands, and a reduction in inflammation. A similar growth factor (IGF-1) is stimulated, which induces the proliferation of both keratinocytes, hunting cells and androgen production.

5. Acne has only one cause: MIT

Acne is thought to be an inherited disorder (about 81%), but it is difficult to determine whether it is a result of the adoption of the Western dietary model or, for example, unknown environmental factors.

6. Diet causes acne at MIT

Available research suggests that diet may contribute to acute acne, but it may not be the primary cause.

7. Assisting treatment with diet gives immediate effects

It is worth adding that even if we do not notice the effects, the use of low-GI products has many health benefits it reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer. Only long-term exclusion of milk and products with a high glycemic index can (but does not have to) contribute to improving the condition of the skin.

8. Milk may cause acute acne FACT

Adebamo and others suggest that certain dairy products (fat milk, lean milk, fatty milk) may contribute to acne changes. This is also confirmed by the current position of the American Academy of Dermatology.

9. Chocolate has been shown to aggravate acne changes FACT

A study published in 2016 found that the consumption of bitter chocolate by men with a tendency to develop acne worsened their skin condition, and chocolate predisposed to hyperglycemia and insulinemia, which exacerbate common acne.

10. Salted snacks may contribute to exacerbating acne changes FACT

El Darouti and colleagues published a study that suggests that eating salty foods was significantly higher among acute patients compared to those who were not acute. It's also been suggested that spicy foods can have a similar effect.

11. Omega-3 fatty acids may have a positive effect on skin condition FACT

Research suggests that the combined supplementation of omega-6 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and long-chain PUFA omega-3s has the highest anti-inflammatory potential, which may be beneficial in treating acne and other skin conditions, such as acne or atopic dermatitis.

Category:
Source

Adebamowo C.A. et al., Milk consumption and acne in teenaged boys, „Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” 2008, 58, 787–793.
Aghasi M. et al., Dairy intake and acne development: a meta-analysis of observational studies, „Clinical Nutrition” 2019, 38(3), 1067–1075.
Balić A. et al., Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, „International Journal of Molecular Sciences” 2020, 21(3), 741.
Can the right diet get rid of acne?, aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/diet (18.02.2021).
Darouti M.A.E et al., Salty and spicy food; are they involved in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris? A case controlled study, „Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” 2016, 15(2), 145–149.
Fox L. et al., Treatment Modalities for Acne, „Molecules” 2016, 21(8), 1063.
Matsui M.S., Update on diet and acne, „Cutis” 2019, 104(1), 11–13.
Ozdarska K. et al., Diet in pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, „Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski” 2017, 43(256), 186–189.
Vongraviopap S., Asawanonda P., Dark chocolate exacerbates acne, „International Journal of Dermatology” 2016, 55(5), 587–591.
Williams H., Dellavalle R.P., Garner S., Acne vulgaris, „The Lancet” 2012, 379(9813), 314.
Wolkenstein P. et al., Acne prevalence and associations with lifestyle: a cross-sectional online survey of adolescents/young adults in 7 European countries, „Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” 2018, 32(2), 298–306.