Acne and Unhealthy Foods
The occidental diet is usually composed of high-glycemic foods, which have shown in various researches conducted, to cause acne episodes. Such foods with an elevated glycemic index (GI) include industrial sugar and starchy foods such as cereals, grains, breads, milk, and processed foods.
As some studies report, the elevation in the level of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin hormone in the human organism, produces the elevation of testosterone level in males. Consequently, as the secretion of sebaceous glands is directly affected by testosterone, increased testosterone brings about an excessive sebum production. The oil or sebum produced inside the body may clog the pores of the skin, forming a bacteria-friendly condition and thus triggering acne vulgaris. Also, the previously mentioned hormones cause the overproduction of skin cells, further aggravating the clogging of the pores and nourishing the acne-causing bacteria.
A certain research conducted had observed that people who only consume natural foods rather than the highly refined foods common in a western diet, suffered minor or no acne problems at all.
After that, they conducted the same research on immigrants living in westernized areas. Strangely, these persons, who used to consume only natural foods and did not ever suffered acne before, have developed the condition when they arrived to their current western home and have adapted the occidental diet that is composed of highly refined foods. Also, consumption of occidental diet in young adolescents causes a sudden increase in the sex hormones, causing an even higher occurrence of acne.
Researches have also shown that a caffeine excess can also elevate the stress hormone levels inside the body. The high stress hormones levels can further stimulate the acne formation, or worsen existing acne conditions. The occidental diet commonly includes high-caffeine beverages, such as tea, soda, and coffee.
Other researches have also shown the importance of the significant amounts of red meats and dairy products in the occidental diet to the incidence of acne skin problems. This protein diet rises the IGF-1 levels, which, as stated earlier, can also increase the level of testosterone, indirectly over stimulating the production of sebum, as well.
Studies further demonstrate that dietary modifications concentrating on low glycemic carbohydrates, such as vegetables and fruits, have positive endocrine effects that are therapeutically efficient in treating acne. Such positive endocrine changes keep a healthy skin and a healthy growth of its cells, as well as promote normal secretion of sebum.
Although there is still no sound evidence on the relationship of certain foods in the occidental diet and acne occurrence, it is still best to control the amounts (neither too little nor too much) of whatever kinds of food that we consume.
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- Gabrielle Rygh
