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Adult Acne - Eating The Best Food For Acne

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Literally millions of people suffer from adult acne, which means it is not just a teenage problem. The American Academy of Dermatology says it is the most common skin disorder in the United States.

This is born out by these statistics:

• Over 50 percent of women of all ages suffer from acne at some stage in their lives
• 80 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 30 suffer from mild to moderate acne
• Even after age 50, over 15 percent of women and over 7 percent of men still suffer from acne
• Adult men are not as prone as women to acne but they can suffer for longer periods of time and have more severe symptoms

Whether adult acne or teenage acne, the cause is the same - too much sebum in the body. Sebum is oil secreted by the sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin. It is when too much oil is produced that the problems start – the pore becomes blocked, p.acne bacteria multiply and attack the follicle. In the process the bacteria produce free fatty acids that irritate the skin. The body then reacts to defend the skin, which can cause an inflammatory response resulting in the acne symptoms we know so well.

An imbalance of hormones in the body is the main reason the body produces too much oil. That's why women will have acne outbreaks when their hormones are awry – ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It's also why men have more severe and longer lasting acne - they produce more testosterone.

The best way to treat acne is to restore the body's natural balance. That's why a healthy lifestyle can help – by helping the body rid itself of toxins, controlling the production of oil and restoring hormonal balance.

There has been a great deal of debate as to the effects of diet on acne. This debate as been much less over the last few years because several studies have indicated a strong link between diet and acne. There are indications that a low GI diet lowers the outbreaks. The reason for this is a high GI diet – one high in refined sugars, white flour, white rice – increases the blood sugar level. The body needs to bring the blood sugar level down. It does this by a surge of insulin and other male hormones. This creates an excess of sebum, which starts the whole process of acne formation.

A well-balanced diet on its own may not cure acne but it will certainly help control it by laying a good foundation for other treatment. Following a healthy diet will:

• Provide nutrients to the body in the form of vitamins and minerals
• Help the body's immune system deal with ailments
• Help the body heal itself
• Lift energy levels
• Promote a positive feeling of well being

It is no surprise then, when we learn researchers have found a strong link between a healthy lifestyle and reduced acne breakouts.

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14 Things You Should Know About Adult Acne
By Dr Sandy Zabaneh

Have you ever looked in the mirror and uttered these words under your breath, 'Why am I still breaking out'? Did you wonder why, even in your adult years, you still have to put up with acne? The idea that acne should be a thing of the past - a teenage problem - can leave adults frustrated not knowing what is causing their skin breakouts. Here are 14 things you should know to help you identify the causes of your flare-ups and ways to prevent them.

#1 Blame it on the hormones
Androgens, like testosterone, are male hormones (present in women too) which are responsible for causing acne. Women undergo sharp hormonal changes more often than men, so women are twice as likely as men to be afflicted with acne during adulthood. Given this fact, it is no wonder why acne can strike anytime in a woman's life - during puberty, ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and even after menopause.

Female acne can also be a symptom of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which is a disorder caused by hormonal imbalances; however, usually, these individuals are overweight, have fertility issues, do not have regular periods and grow excess hair in unwanted areas, such as the upper lip, chin and chest (more manly distribution of hair).

 In addition, some people who have thyroid problems may also have trouble with acne. It is also interesting to know that although men are at a lower risk for adult acne, men are more prone than women to have more severe forms of acne because of the higher levels of testosterone naturally circulating within a man's body.

#2 Quit smoking
Did you ever notice the complexion of a longtime smoker? It is not supple and often looks dry, rough and leathery. Recent studies have discovered a phenomenon labeled as 'smoker's acne'; the acne in smoking individuals is non-inflammatory (bumps with no swelling or redness), commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads. Inflammatory acne, on the contrary, is when the spots are red, pus-like and swollen.

 Research shows that for people who had acne as teens, the probability of suffering from adult acne is four times higher in smokers than non-smokers. According to a British Journal of Dermatology, a study of 1000 women aged 25 to 50 found that 42 per cent of smokers had acne compared to only 10 per cent of non-smokers. It is a good idea to kick the habit, not only for health reasons, but also for the reason that smoking has long been associated with premature aging of the skin, wrinkles and a bad complexion.

#3 Check skin products
Sometimes the products you are applying on your face can trigger breakouts so pay close attention to your cosmetics, shaving creams, cleansers, moisturizers and makeup. Steer away from products with an oil-base which can block pores resulting in acne. Allow your skin to breathe and only put oil-free (noncomedogenic) products on your skin.

#4 Side effects of drugs
Since hormones are the main cause of acne and most acne cases are not drug-related, do not stop using your medications. However, bear in mind that some medications can cause acne breakouts. Phenobarbital (medication used for seizures), steroids (prescribed and illegal use in bodybuilding), lithium (medication for bipolar disorder), isoniazid and rifampin (medication used in tuberculosis), DHEA supplements (marketed as the extremely controversial anti-aging pill which causes serious side effects and has not been proven to work), hormone therapies and certain birth control treatments can cause or worsen acne. Again, talk to your doctor before discontinuing any medication.

#5 Your skin is what you eat
Although skepticism still exists in the dermatology community linking diet with acne, some people swear that certain foods cause them to break out. Until more solid evidence is out, the link between certain foods causing acne remains to be controversial. With that said, if you notice something you eat causes you to break out in pimples, avoid the food; by the same token, there is no guarantee that avoidance will necessarily cure your acne, but it is worth a try.

-Nuts: Although nuts are healthy snacks that calm our hunger pangs quickly because they are satiating, they can provoke acne in some individuals.

-Dairy: Recent studies have shown that milk and dairy products may trigger acne. It is not recommended to stop dairy as a means to improve your skin until more studies are conducted. Calcium is abundant in dairy products and is crucial for osteoporosis prevention. If your dairy intake is low, make sure to take dietary supplements to keep your bones strong.

-Chocolate: Some people experience pimples when they eat chocolate while it may not even faze others. It is not proven that chocolate causes acne and some claims have gone as far as saying 'a bar a day keeps the spots away' suggesting that chocolate can even cure acne!

-High glycemic foods: There is some evidence that foods with high-glycemic indices (sugared drinks, sweets, white bread and carbohydrate-rich foods) produce a quick spike in blood sugar which may aggravate acne. Although debate still exists in the scientific community around the notion that greasy and fatty foods worsen acne, many still carry the belief that it is definitely a contributor to acne. It has also been proposed that switching to a plant-based, low-fat, high-fiber diet can reduce acne flare-ups since vegetables and fruits are natural anti-oxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating more fish may also pave the way for clearer skin as they are rich in omega 3-oils which is known to reduce inflammation.

-Acne-fighting foods: Essential fatty acids (flax seeds, fish), Vitamin A (carrots, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes), zinc (whole grains, spinach), Vitamin E (green leafy vegetables), Vitamin C (citrus fruits, green peppers) Vitamin B-complex (brown rice, bananas), chromium (whole wheat breads, broccoli) and selenium (fish, lean meat, garlic, barley) are a sample list of foods that are rich in acne-suppressing vitamins and minerals. It is best to get these nutrients by eating enriched foods; do not take supplements without consulting a medical professional as overdosing can occur.

#6 Stay regular
Constipation can trigger acne by keeping toxins in your body. Eating a diet rich in fiber, drinking water and maintaining an active lifestyle will help prevent constipation and may be just what you need to clear up your skin.

#7 Stress-management
Stress-induced acne has been a highly debated topic and, recently, numerous studies have proven that stress does, in fact, worsen acne. Stress causes acne by lowering our immune system's ability to heal and causing androgens and cortisol to be activated which are acne promoting hormones.

#8 It is in the genes
Your genes may control your skin type. Adults with oilier skin are more prone to acne breakouts; also if acne runs in your family, chances are you will develop acne in your adult years. People who have the 'perfect-skin gene' should really know how lucky they are.

#9 Climate
Does the weather affect acne? It is not hard to believe that hot and humid weather may cause more break-outs due to excess sweating; however, sweating alone does not clog pores, rather the mix of sweat with exposure to oils and polluted air provides a better environment for acne to erupt. It is also important not to use the sun to dry out your acne as over-exposure will prematurely age the skin, darkens spots and may flare up acne, let alone the cancerous effects of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

 How about the cold weather? Winter tends to worsen acne since cold weather causes the skin to dry out and the pores to shrink, leading to more clogging of pores. It is essential to moisturize, year-around, to help keep acne from worsening. Just because the weather is cold, does not mean you should skip the sunscreen since the sun's rays are still strong and can penetrate even on a cloudy day or through the windshield while driving. Sunscreens should, not only be used in the summer, but also in the winter.

#10 Pressure and Friction
Adult acne can be caused by certain types of constant physical pressure to the skin, such as tucking a phone under the chin, or the friction from the straps of a backpack or purse. Tight clothing and undergarments, such as tight bra straps, and even excessive phone use can contribute to acne.

#11 Dehydration
Not only does too much sun exposure and cold weather worsen acne by drying out the skin, but dehydration from lack of fluid intake can also cause breakouts. Hydrating the skin by hydrating the inside of your body will help prevent clogging of pores. Any caffeinated drinks, such as soda, tea and coffee, are dehydrating because they have diuretic properties (increase urination) so limit their intake. Water is the best fluid for your skin.

#12 Dirt
Clogged pores cause acne. Acne strikes when bacteria, excess oils and clogged pores are present. Although, dirt itself does not cause acne, it is essential to maintain a daily hygienic skin regimen in order to remove dead cells, dirt and excess oils to prevent blockage of pores. Avoid touching your face because your fingers have oils that can exacerbate acne. Dirty, oily hair touching your skin can also clog pores.

#13 Work out
There is strong evidence suggesting that exercise may clear up skin by lowering stress levels. Sweating is a normal bodily function and does not directly cause acne; nonetheless, it is still recommended to pull your hair away from your face during exercise to avoid oils from your hair touching your face and wash away or towel off sweat when you finish working out.

#14 Get good sleep
Not getting enough sleep increases stress which can lead to acne. In addition, studies have shown that sleep deprivation increases inflammation, thus exacerbating acne.

Sometimes, more than one factor may be causing your acne and it is not always easy to figure it out. Achieving clear skin may be as simple as switching your facial cream to a complex problem that requires a specialist. You might be surprised that just by lowering your stress, your complexion might improve. Remember sometimes, you might feel worse than your face actually looks and, without a doubt, you are your own worst enemy. Keep in mind that a natural glow comes from within, not just from an absence of pimples.

Dr Sandy Zabaneh is a US board-certified Doctor in Pharmacy who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from University of California, Davis. She is the Health Editor of U Magazine, clinical pharmacy consultant and life coach. Dr Sandy likes to follow the motto set forth by the World Health Organization in 1948: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Check out her blog at http://www.sandyzabanehblog.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?14-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Adult-Acne&id=4195261] 14 Things You Should Know About Adult Acne

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4 Natural Acne Skin Care Tips You Can Use to Remove Your Acne
By Adrian Hargray
When it comes to acne, there are things that you can do to improve your skin. Acne affects millions of people around the globe and can do cosmetic harm to your skin if not taken care of properly. In fact, it doesn't just affect the outer layers of your face, but it can also affect the inner layers - along with your neck, back and chest.
Studies have been made on the best ways to treat acne, and a number of solutions have been developed because of it. This is what this article will focus on. In this article, you will learn how best to deal with acne, and tips you can use to prevent from even occurring. Here's tip number 1:

TIP #1: Use a mild cleaning agent
When washing your skin, you want to use a mild cleaning agent that will be very gentle to your skin. What you wash your skin with and how you wash it is very important when dealing with acne. If you've ever heard that "scrubbing" is very good for your skin, then maybe you should reconsider this thought. Scrubbing too hard can cause acne to develop, and it might worsen your acne if you already have it. Here's tip number 2:

TIP #2: Never pop a pimple
You may have heard from your friends that popping a pimple is an easy way to make it disappear and go on with life, but this advice is very bad when it comes to the healthcare of your skin. Popping a pimple will indeed worsen your acne whether you know it or not, and you should refrain from doing it if this is a current habit of yours. So be sure to not pop your pimple - in addition to squeezing it also as this bad too.

TIP #3: Watch what you put on your face
The cleansers that you use to treat your acne must be chosen very carefully. All of your acne fighting solutions should be oil-free, and should be gentle to your skin - as I mentioned above. You want to look for acne solutions that are labeled as "non-comedogenic" - as these are the best kinds to use. These types of solutions can be found in almost any place where traditional acne solutions are found.

TIP #4: Exercise
When you exercise, you help to reduce your stress and increase the blood flow the penetration of oxygen to your skin - and this helps to prevent acne. A simple 5-10 minute job around your home of a high school track will help to clear away and prevent your acne. The more you exercise, the healthier you will become, and the more your acne symptoms will not appear on a monthly basis.
Acne is natural and happens to just about everybody at some time in their life. But the key is prevention, and proper care is needed when treating your acne. As time goes on, better solutions will be developed, leaving you with the possibility of a clearer and acne-free face - along with a healthier attitude towards acne treatment.

FOR MORE INFO: Learn how to naturally remove acne [http://www.instant-downloadz.com/naturalacnecure.html] so that you can have healthier and clearer skin. To learn more, visit the following website for more details: [http://www.instant-downloadz.com/naturalacnecure.html]
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Acne Remedies - Why Exercise Could Help Acne Control

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Regular exercise will help get rid of acne and help prevent new outbreaks.
It is well documented that regular exercise will:

· Improve you general health
· Promote a positive attitude and sense of well-being.
· Combat stress


General Health

If your general health improves it follows your body is better equipped to respond to any attacks on it in the form of illness or disorders. Your body is already trying to deal with your acne – trying to cure itself. If it is not in good condition then its efforts are less effective. Regular exercise will make sure your body's circulatory system is functioning well so that it can carry blood to your skin and provide the oxygen and nutrients it needs to deal with your acne.

If your heart and lungs are working as they should be they are making sure enough oxygen is getting around your body. This also helps your internal organs to function properly to extract goodness from the food you eat and to get rid of toxins from your body. Your digestive system will improve. You will sleep better, which is essential for your body to build up strength to fight the good fight.

Combating Stress

Acne breakouts are common in times of stress. Many people talk of breakouts at stressful times such as school exams, pressure at work or trouble in relationships. It is well documented that regular exercise reduces stress levels. This not only removes one of the main causes of acne but helps you to cope better mentally and emotionally. It is important to find a way to relieve stress because this can lead to the more serious problem of depression.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Positive Attitude

Dealing with acne can pull you down and affect your self-esteem. Sometimes you might just feel like giving up. The fact you are taking action and sticking to a regular exercise program makes you feel better about yourself. You become more positive as your self-esteem grows and you start to enjoy a sense of well-being. You will find you feel better because your body feels better. There is more bounce in your step. You will be invigorated with new energy to help you deal with your acne.

Exercise alone will not cure your acne but it will help to heal it and to fight against new breakouts. Make your exercise program the basis of a healthy lifestyle. Make some changes in your diet - cut down on refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white sugar and drinks with a high sugar content. Try to reduce your intake of milk or milk products. Milk is full of hormones, which leads to a hormone imbalance – one of the major causes of acne. Eat more fruit and vegetables.

Acne is an attack on your body's immune system. Regular exercise strengthens your immune system and helps your body cure itself. Add to this a healthy diet and you will be well on your way to controlling or curing your acne.

Treatment for acne: eat the best food for the skin

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Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Most fresh fruit and vegetables are good for your skin, but some are better than others. The best foods for your skin are the strong anit-oxidants. These are the foods that get rid of toxins (poisons). Most of the toxins come from the activity of free radicals which attack your healthy cells and help to cause a number of ailments.

The free radicals are caused by oxidation. We see this process on some metals when they are exposed to oxygen. In this case, free radicals are in the form of rust. Of course, our body cells do not turn rusty but they are affected in a similar way because they lose their integrity. This can then lead to a whole range of health problems, including acne.

A diet which includes plenty of fresh food and vegetables, lean meat, nuts and wholegrains, will provide a good supply of anti-oxidants to counter the effects of the free radicals.


Sources of antioxidants
Good sources of antioxidants include:

• Allium sulphur compounds - leeks, onions and garlic.
• Anthocyanins - eggplant, grapes and berries.
• Beta-carotene - pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley.
• Catechins - red wine and tea.
• Copper - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Cryptoxanthins - red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes.
• Flavonoids - tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion and apples.
• Indoles - cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
• Isoflavonoids - soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk.
• Lignans - sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables.
• Lutein - leafy greens like spinach, and corn.
• Lycopene - tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon.
• Manganese - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Polyphenols - thyme and oregano.
• Selenium - seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains.
• Vitamin C -oranges, blackcurrants, kiwi fruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries.
• Vitamin E - vegetable oils (such as wheatgerm oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Zinc - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Zoochemicals - red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the plants animals eat.

(Source: Better Health Channel)

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Better Health, Better Skin

The fact is, if you are in good health, all your organs, including your skin, will be in good health. By making sure your body has a good supply of anti-oxidants you are ensuring your long term health. Medical professionals tell us we can help avoid heart disese, certain types of cancer and the effects of aging by eating plenty of anti-oxdants on a regular basis.

I see this as a bonus - by setting out to help your acne you are also helping your overall health. It seems like a win/win situation to me.

Acne And Diet - 3 Reasons Why Your Best Acne Treatment Could Be What You Eat

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When was the last time you heard of a drug company doing research into the effect of food on acne? In the same way, you will not find many dermatologists prescribing healthy foods as the best acne treatment. Neither drug companies nor health professionals make any money out of prescribing a healthy diet. To be fair, some doctors are advising their patients to change their eating habits and the number seems to be growing, but they are still under pressure from the big drug companies to prescribe their products.

In addition to that, the link between acne and diet has never been proven sufficiently for this to become part of their training. However, there has been enough anecdotal and research evidence collected to point to some food as being bad for acne. The causes of acne can be quite complex and there is no one simple cure, but eating some foods and avoiding others could still be the best acne treatment for you.

Food Costs Less Than Pharmaceuticals

Food is cheaper than pharmaceuticals and it is already part of our normal spending. Buying gels, lotions and creams to treat acne is an additional cost and some of them are a waste of money. We simply need to change our buying habits to include the right food in our diet rather than have to find extra money to buy skin treatments. Over-the-counter acne treatment and prescription drugs are an additional expense. Of course, there are creams that can relieve acne and they will be more effective with a change of diet.

Acne Treatments Can Become A Habit

Buying and eating food is not a habit we can acquire because we already have it and, of course, we need it. Using over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments does become a habit because they are designed to treat the symptoms rather than to cure the cause. This means you have to keep going back for more of the treatment to try to relieve the symptoms, which will keep returning. This is exactly what the drug companies want and expect - regular, repeat sales. That is why they are so wealthy. This does not appear to be the best treatment for acne, but the best treatment for the drug companies.

It is a Simple Solution

Some foods can aggravate you acne: highly refined carbohydrates like white flour products, white sugar and any food with a high GI rating. These foods increase you blood sugar level, which causes an insulin surge that creates more hormones, which in turn makes more sebum (oil) and eventually, sets up an acne environment.

The solution is a simple one because all you have to do is to change you buying habits to replace you present food with healthier, low GI foods. You can start buying whole grain bread and more fruit and vegetables. You can also start working on some of your eating habits by cutting down on the amount of sugar and sugary products you consume.

In other words, make your body healthier so it can deal with your acne in its own way – to cure itself the way Nature intended. In the end this could be the best acne treatment.

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Sugar and Acne Connection

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In recent years, there has been a lot of research done on high blood sugar and the effects it has on the body. The researchers agree high blood sugar has a bad effect on our general health by causing inflammation at a cellular level, which breaks down the immune system, speeds up aging and contributes to many health problems, such as obesity and acne. High blood sugar continually sets up an acne environment so that breakouts keep occurring.

The Problem Foods

The problem foods are not only the ones that are obviously high in sugar - sugar itself, sugary drinks, candies, cakes, pastries - but other foods that break down quickly into sugar. These are called simple carbohydrates because they only contain one sugar. For example, fruit has one sugar called fructose, which means it breaks down quickly into sugar, or glucose, to give us a surge of energy. While it sends up our blood sugar, fruit also gives the body nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, so it is good for us, but if we ate only fruit we would be keeping our blood sugar up and causing other problems.

The other foods that break down quickly and help cause acne are the highly refined foods like white flour products, white bread, white rice, many breakfast cereals. These all help raise our blood sugar level quickly. The problem is, the main diet for many people is made up of this type of food and many of them have never given it any thought. If children have been brought up on this type of food it is hard for them to change their eating habits and that is one of the main reasons we have so much childhood obesity. It also contributes to acne in adolescents.

The foods that break down more slowly are called complex carbohydrates because they have more than one sugar. Foods like whole grain, multigrain or whole meal bread, brown rice and protein such as meat and eggs take longer to convert to sugar. They also give us more sustained energy because they take longer to be absorbed into our system.

How to balance our sugar intake

The easiest way to balance our blood sugar level is to follow some guidelines set out by people who have done the research. The Glycemic Index rates the speed at which foods break down into glucose. The high GI foods are the ones that cause a sudden surge of sugar and are to be avoided as much as possible. There are plenty of foods we can choose that are good for our body and will fight acne. A rough guide is to try to stick with foods that have a GI index of 55 or under.

You will find a Glycemic Index table at http://www.diabetesnet.com/food-diabetes/glycemic-index
If you can use this as a guide over the next 3 or 4 months you should see fewer acne breakouts. You should also see an improvement in your general health and lose some excess weight.

How To Control Acne With Some Healthy Skin Tips

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These healthy skin tips can form the basis of an action plan that will not only help you control your acne but my even cure it. If you are lucky, one of these tips may be addressing the main cause of your acne. More likely it will be a combination of them.

• Eat mainly low GI foods. These are the foods that take longer to digest and break down into glucose. High GI foods, ones that breakdown into glucose quickly, create a surge of blood sugar. The body controls this by releasing insulin, which is a hormone. This causes a hormone imbalance, one of the main causes of acne.
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  Image: Stoonn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Cut down on milk and milk products. Cows milk contains about 60 hormones. This is adding to the hormones in your body causing a hormone imbalance, which starts the acne cycle. There have been a number of studies that have shown a big improvement in peoples' acne when they went off milk.
• Look for anti-inflammatory food or medication. This relates to the first two tips, as highly refined carbohydrates such as white sugar and white flour and milk can cause inflammation in the body. Over recent years, a lot of research has been done on the effects of inflammation. It contributes to a number of conditions and acne is one of them.
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  Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Try to control the stress in your life. Many people report having acne breakouts during times of stress. Some stress is unavoidable, but it can be controlled. Look for ways to relax when you start to feel under pressure. Do something you really like to do. Physical activity is one of the best ways of reducing stress.
• Look for healthier foods – fresh fruit and vegetables. These will help the body heal itself by getting rid of toxins and providing nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. Most brightly colored vegetables are good antioxidants. These work to clean the blood of free radicals, which can attack the body and make it vulnerable to adverse conditions.
• Be careful of the latest wonder cure. There are proven products that can help, but most of them will not cure your acne. They will only treat the symptoms. This means you will have to keep using them, which is what the manufacturers want. You need to work on removing the cause of the problem so you can get rid of the symptoms.
• Work on improving your overall health by getting in the habit of eating better foods and getting regular exercise. You can do this by cutting back on foods with little or no nutritional value – most fast food, white flour products and food with high sugar content. Your exercise program does not have to be complicated – walking, jogging – but it should be regular.

In these tips there is a lot of emphasis on diet and exercise. These are two basic elements that will help the body cure itself by providing it with the necessary tools.
Nutritious food feeds the body and thus the skin. Regular exercise helps get rid of toxins and improves blood circulation, which will carry nutrients to the skin. Taking action by following these tips will help you maintain a positive attitude, which is an important part of the body healing itself.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally published in ezinearticles.com

Acne and Stress - Control Stress to Help Control Acne

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There is a link between acne and stress, as many people report fresh acne outbreaks in times of stress. There is good reason for this. In times of high stress hormones are released to deal with the stress. Apart from sending up blood pressure, speeding up our heart and breathing rate, the increase in hormones creates an imbalance, which sets up an acne environment.

Of course, it is impossible to avoid all stress as it is part of life, but we should develop ways to control it. If we can learn to control it we will also control at least one factor in the formation of acne. It will also help look after our well being because constant stress is very bad for our health. But how do we control the stress in our life?

Take Action In Times Of Stress

We can relieve stress by making a conscious decision to take action when we feel under pressure or we feel stress building. Physical activity is one of the best ways to relieve stress. If you are in the habit of regular exercise, you are probably already controlling the level of stress in your life. Vigorous exercise is particularly effective, because you do not have time to think about whatever is causing the stress. You are too occupied in meeting the physical challenge. In addition to that, the physical activity itself counteracts the effects of stress.

But it does not have to be vigorous to be effective. The physical activity itself will bring down your stress levels. This may be a walk around the block, stretching or yoga exercises. Stretching and yoga exercises work well together because many yoga exercises involve stretching. Sometimes this may not seem like it is very effective but stretching means you are using your muscles, which gets the blood flowing and you are forced to breath more slowly, which helps you to relax.


Find What Works For You

Maybe your favorite way to relax is to read a book, watch television or play a computer game. Whatever it is, you do need to find a way to take you out of the stressful situation or to help you concentrate on happier thoughts. Sometimes you need something where you do not want to think, simply to enjoy what you are doing. Find something you can do regularly so you are not letting stress build to any great degree. This way you will build a level of calm in your life, which will help control acne breakouts.


Controlling stress is only one factor in dealing with acne. You can find out how to fix your acne problem once and for all by visiting www.mynaturalacnecure.info

Acne Diet Link Exposed: Is There an Acne Cure Diet that Works?

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(This is an article by Mike Walden, ex-acne sufferer, nutritionist and author.)

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Acne Diet and The Money Factor: You Can't Sell a Healthy Diet

Ask any medical doctor if there is a connection between diet and acne and almost all of them will claim there is none. Quoting from the Journal of the American Medical Association: "Diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients…even large amounts of certain foods have not clinically exacerbated acne".

With years of medical education and clinical experience behind these claims, how can we the simple folks who suffer from acne challenge these statements and think otherwise? The answer is: doubt. Doubt, if its stays in the borders of reason, can open many doors otherwise will stay forever shut. Believe it or not, doubt can change reality. Doubt can cure your acne and doubt can even save your life.

Fact is, countless of acne sufferers have reported that their acne seemed to get worse when they consumed certain foods and saw dramatic positive change over their acne condition when they eliminated the same foods from their diet and when certain foods with specific nutritional value were incorporated into their diet.

So why do dermatologists so stubbornly insist that diet does not cause acne? The answer: you can't make a profit promoting a healthy diet. At least not as much money as you could make by selling drugs and over the counters. There is a huge pressure upon doctors coming from the drug and pharmaceutical companies to prescribe expensive medications and lotions that create dependency. The truth is, that your doctor is in a way, a hostage by the trillion dollar drug companies. Did you know that the drug companies, who have no interest in producing something that they cannot control financially, sponsor most medical schools?

The right diet, although not a solution by itself, can, in many cases, dramatically reduce inflammation and even completely clear one's acne (if you're one of the lucky ones who's acne is triggered by allergic response to food). Promoting a clear skin diet simply means less profits for the drug and pharmaceutical companies.

The truth is that conventional medications will never cure your acne, simply because they are pre-designed NOT to fix the internal cause of acne. They are pre-designed to deal with the external symptoms of a disease as they create more and more dependency and more dependency means making more money all at our expense and ignorance.

The Theory That Diet Doesn’t Cause Acne Is A Myth

The dogmatic theory that diet does not cause acne and that acne is merely an incurable genetic disorder was based upon two dated researches published in 1969 and 1971 that were aimed at studying the connection between diet and acne.

These studies were the foundation of the ‘acne symptoms treatment strategy’, meaning, because acne is a genetic disease that cannot be prevented, the only way to deal with acne would be to tackle its symptoms (bacteria, inflammation, puss, redness, greasiness), by applying creams, antibiotics, taking prescription drugs and over the counters.

Surprisingly enough, years after the above studies were published, clinical trials and in depth researches experimenting the acne diet link have found that the studies from 1969 and 1971 had came to the wrong conclusions and were in fact seriously flawed.

Recent studies have clearly found a significant connection between diet and acne. It appears that the wrong diet is now thought to be one of the leading acne contributing factors that can negatively affect hormonal regulation and the natural process of toxic elimination, which can seriously aggravate one’s existing acne.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Diet Shapes Who You Are (Including Your Acne)

In the same way that crashing waves shape beach cliffs and just like the wind shapes the canyon walls, slowly and methodically over time, so does eating shapes and effects our physic, our internal system, our physical and mental being, from the organ down to the cellular level.

The idea that an object foreign to our body that is inserted by the food that we eat, has no effect on us, or has no impact on chronic conditions such as acne is absurd. Diet is the primary thing that affects and shapes who we are.

Diet has cumulative effect on our bodies, and that includes our skin condition and acne, which is a manifestation of a chronic internal problem slowly shaped and built by the wrong daily dietary choices over the years.

Acne Diet and The Kitavan Islanders

While in the U.S, more than 80% of teenagers between 16 and 18 have acne and more than 17 million Americans suffer from some form of acne, there is an interesting evidence that native people that live and eat in traditional ways, have significantly lower to no occurrences of acne.

In 2002, Dr. Cordain and his colleagues published a landmark study that examined 300 people living in the Kitavan Islands off the coast of Papua New Guinea that showed that none of the islanders had even one blemish on his or her face. Similar to the Kitavans, no case of acne had been observed when the same experiment had been conducted upon the South American Indians called the Ache, living in a remote jungle in eastern Paraguay.

The natives of Kitavan and the South American Indians had no access to the latest over the counters, topical creams or conventional acne medications and they had no dermatologist to consult with. The only vast difference between them and American or European citizens is their diet.

Acne Diet and Sugar: The Sweet Poison

Aside from the fact that sugar is a 100% pure chemical with zero nutritional value, recent studies have clearly shown a connection between the consumption of sugar and the aggravation of acne.

When you consume any form of refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white flour, white rice) here's what happens: right after you insert that 'sweet poison' into your body, it rapidly spikes up your blood sugar levels. Your body needs to bring those levels down so it secrets a surge of insulin, other male hormones and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. The excretion of these hormones overwhelms your liver and your internal system in general. The excess of male hormones encourages the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum oil: The greasy substance that encourages the p.acne bacteria to grow, resulting in the aggravation of your acne.

Image: kongsky / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Acne Diet and Dairy Products: Got Milk? Got Acne

If you thought sugar can aggravate your acne, here's another major nutritional player in the formation of acne: behold the miracles of milk. Milk (all dairy products included) is the most harmful, mucus forming, allergenic and acne aggravating food you can find. Surprised? I thought so. After years of constant brainwashing by the media, who can blame us for thinking milk is good for strong bones and healthy teeth? The truth is: every sip of milk contains 59 different raging hormones, (which trigger the hyper-production of sebum oil resulting in more acne), saturated animal fat, steroid hormones, dead white blood cells, and cow pus in abundance!

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows 750 million pus cells in every liter of milk (about two pounds) produced in America? Think about it, the next time you pop a pimple.

Scientific studies already point the finger at milk as one of the worst acne aggravating foods: "As pointed out by Dr. Jerome Fisher, 'About 80 percent of cows that are giving milk are pregnant and are throwing off hormones continuously.' Progesterone breaks down into androgens, which have been implicated as a factor in the development of acne...Dr. Fisher observed that his teenage acne patients improved as soon as the milk drinking stopped."

If there's one element you should remove from your diet in the quest for clear skin make it this one. Not only will you see an immediate improvement over your acne, you'll feel a huge weight has been lifted from your body. If you worry about calcium intake, don’t! Milk being acidic forming food creates a leeching effect where calcium is taken from your bones to balance the acidity. Milk actually deprives your body from its calcium resources. Green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds are not only excellent sources of calcium they also have the powers to help you fight your acne symptoms.

Diet Is Only One of The Factors That Cause Acne

Dairy products and sugar are not the only acne aggravating foods. The two above cannot sum up the list of western made acne triggering foods. There are several other foods you should clearly stay away from if you ever wish to clear your acne. The good news is that there are tons of other foods such as essential fatty acids that are not only excellent for your skin, they can actually help you clear your acne, by re-balancing your body and promoting to an acne-free environment.

The right nutrition plays an important part in the complex process of acne formation. When doctors claim there is no link between diet and acne because certain individuals can eat specific foods and get acne while others eat the same foods and don't, these doctors have failed to realize that there are several factors involved in the formation and aggravation of acne and diet is only ONE of them.

The Final Verdict On The Acne Diet Connection: How To Finally Overcome Your Acne Challenge

Acne is a complex condition that is triggered by several underlying factors. The only way to neutralize your acne condition is to tackle all these acne-contributing factors-holistically. Since the wrong diet is only one of these acne-triggering factors, in most cases no special diet can cure acne.

There is a however, a tight connection between diet and acne formation. Dietary factors can trigger and aggravate your existing acne. Avoiding the wrong foods such as milk, sugar and hydrogenated oils, and eating cleansing and hormonal balancing foods such as green leafy vegetables and essential fatty acids, can help your skin heal itself from the inside out and dramatically reduce your acne symptoms.

There are also several important dietary principals that you must understand and follow if you ever want to cure your acne for good.

Taking responsibility over your body and adhering to these dietary principals along with taking the necessary steps to tackle all acne contributing factors, holistically, will not only cure your acne permanently and give you the flawless acne free skin you deserve, following these principals will also significantly improve your overall health, mental well-being, look and feel.

Mike Walden is a certified nutritionist, independent medical researcher, natural health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More- Open The Door To An Acne Free Life." Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide. For information on Mike's Holistic Clear Skin program, visit: www.mynaturalacnecure.info

Acne and Vitamin A

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Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for our bodies. Our eyes need it; our immune system needs it; our skin and bones need it. The problem is, because the body does not make it, its supply relies on outside sources.

One of the most common sources is a Vitamin A supplement. Acne sufferers often turn to these supplements in an effort to treat their acne. After all, our skin does need Vitamin A to stay healthy, so it makes sense to supply it with extra nutrients. There is nothing wrong with this as long as the body is getting the right amount and from the right sources. There are dangers in taking too much Vitamin A over a long period. A much better option is to make sure our diet includes foods rich in this essential vitamin.

Sources of Vitamin A

Vitamin A, or Retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it is stored in the body until the body needs it. This means you do not have to take large amounts of it every day. Particularly as it is found in common foods like butter, cheese, eggs, fortified margarine, yoghurt and fish oil. Liver has a high concentrate of Vitamin A, so if you are eating that every week you will be getting enough for your body's needs. In addition to that, most multi vitamin supplements contain some Vitamin A and some breakfast cereals are fortified with it.

Vitamin A is present in most fruit and vegetables in the form of beta-carotene. Carrots owe their colour to beta-carotene – hence the reason most of us were urged to eat carrots when we were young so that we would get vitamin A to help our vision. It is known to help us see in dim light, so if we eat carrots we will see better in the dark - some popular "old wives tales" are true. Vitamin A acts as an anti-oxidant, which is why health nutritionists advise us to eat dark green and orange/yellow coloured fruits and vegetables. This means it is not only good for our skin but also good for our general health.

Toxic Overload

As we know, too much of a good thing can be bad for us. This is the case with Vitamin A. Too much over a long period of time can damage the liver. It can cause hair loss, excessive dryness of the skin and, in the case of smokers, increase risk of lung cancer. It can also be a danger to the foetus during pregnancy. The main danger comes in the form of supplements, as it is easy to overdose. On the other hand, beta-carotene does not turn toxic, which is why it is much safer to get the vitamin from the foods we eat. Of course, there may be times when additional Vitamin A supplements are needed but this is best done under the guidance of your doctor.

By all means, make sure your skin is getting an ample supply of Vitamin A but do it safely by including the right foods in your diet.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally published in www.ezinearticles.com under the name of Tony Burnell

Acne Diet and Teenagers Acne

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Image: Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Research is in: Food does have an effect on Acne

Many doctors will tell you there is no proven link between acne and diet but recent research has shown there could be a strong link.

A team of Australian researchers at the RMIT University and the Royal Melbourne Hospital Dermatology Department have found that a low GI diet lowers acne breakouts.

They selected 50 young men with mild to severe acne and split them into two groups. One group stayed on the typical teenage diet of highly refined carbohydrates such as white sugar and white bread and the other went onto a low GI diet of whole grains, pasta and legumes. At the end of a 12-week period, the boys on the low GI diet had reduced their acne by over 50%.
A member of the team said there were other benefits: the boys on the healthier diet had a more positive outlook and higher self esteem.

The head of the research team, Dr. Mann, said the healthy diet controlled the insulin levels in the boys' bodies, which helped control the production of oil to the skin. This helped stop a build up in the skin pores leading to acne breakouts.

A diet of highly refined foods raises the insulin and glucose levels, which makes the problem worse.

There is enough evidence to encourage teenagers to try a change of diet. This is a cheap, low-risk way for teenagers to find out for themselves if the food they eat makes their acne worse. If they try it for a few weeks they have nothing to lose except maybe some acne.

Of course, there is always the Yuk! factor to deal with when changing diets. They can start by cutting back on sugary drinks and by having whole grain bread. They can check out some low GI food, which they might actually like.

This provides an opportunity for teenagers to take control by taking action, which will have a positive effect on their acne and on themselves

Low GI
There is a wide range of foods that a low GI and plenty a teenager will like. Look for foods that have a GI rating of about 55 or under. In fact, we should all be eating as much low GI food we can. Particularly since researchers have found the long-term ill-effects high blood sugar has on our bodies.

Teenagers Acne – The Risk Of Depression

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Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"Depression remains a key medical issue for young people with approximately 20 per cent experiencing depression by the time they reach adulthood" - Dr. Sullivan, a leading dermatologist and chair of the Severe Cystic Acne Resource. He went on to underline the need to regularly monitor for depression in all patients with acne, particularly those with the more severe forms.

Young people are particularly vulnerable because acne starts in adolescence, which is also a time when depression and anxiety are prevalent. Add acne into the mix of day-to-day stress, along with the desire for peer respect and concern for their appearance, and then we can understand why some young people have difficulty in dealing with their lives. Health professionals report that by the time many young people get to see a dermatologist they are already distressed.

Acne is not a trivial ailment

It is very easy to dismiss teenagers' acne as trivial and something that will pass with age. However, research has found that young peoples' responses to acne cause the same levels of social, emotional and psychological effects as are found in those who suffer from more serious chronic ailments such as diabetes, asthma and epilepsy. Acne, along with other chronic ailments, can be associated with social isolation, self-consciousness, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of depression are not confined to any one region or country.
A New Zealand study found some young people with acne become so depressed they have suicidal thoughts. The study also found the more severe the acne the greater the risk of self-harm. In Oslo, Norway, acne is significantly associated with mental distress in late adolescents.

The evidence over some years points to a group of people at risk of mental illness. The risk exists in all acne sufferers but particularly in teenagers.

Friends and family need to be watchful

Health professionals ask friends and families of acne sufferers to watch for any signs of depression and then to encourage them to seek medical help if they detect any problems.

There is a very clear message from the research and from health professionals: acne in teenagers needs to be taken seriously and those closest to them need to be aware of any signs of distress or depression. If these signs are present young people need to be encouraged to seek medical help.

The good news is, acne sufferers generally improve in self-esteem and in mental health as their acne improves with treatment.
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Image: Louisa Stokes / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally published in www.ezinearticles.com under the name of Tony Burnell


You will find more informatin on the Risk of Depression at http://www.squidoo.com/teenagers-and-depression

Anti-Acne Diet Recipes

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Recipes That Work for All Ages

The link between diet and acne is being acknowledged by more and more professionals. Members of an Australian research team were the first people to study the link on a scientific basis. The findings dispel 40 year old myths. Finally, acne sufferers can take control and become healthier in the process.

The Australian Womens Weekly Teenage Anti-acne Diet free booklet

This guide was compiled by the Australian Womens Weekly Magazine after the research term at RMIT University published their findings. The guide was aimed at teenagers because they were the ones in the study but the recipes apply to people of all ages.

It's all very well to recommend a low GI, healthy diet but quite another thing to have to come up with recipes day to day. This booklet does just that, as well as providing other tips about dealing with acne.
The Australian Womens Weekly Anti Acne Free Booklet

Acupuncture for Acne

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Acupuncture has been used in China for several thousand years - long before Western medicine existed. It has been used to relieve or cure most ailments. There are reports of two studies done in China that have shown a good success rate in dealing with acne. In one study, 62 of the 80 people treated finished with clear skin, 11 showed an improvement while 7 showed no effect. In a 1993 paper published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, another study showed that of 98 people treated, 54 of the volunteers were considered cured, 42 were improved and 2 were not helped at all.

In a study in the United States, acupuncture and herbal face peeling were used together.The treatment was used on 120 young men in their early 20s, which showed good results: 80 percent showed some improvement after 1 week and 90 percent saw an improvement after 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment, 90 percent were free of their acne and 80 percent had lost their scars. Most of the participants were followed up after 3 years and were found to have had no recurrence. The remaining 10 percent did have some mild recurrence. The herbal face peeling was done at the beginning of the treatment and then every two weeks after that.

Positive Results

As you can see, the results are mixed and not all the studies were done on a strict scientific basis. However, the results are overwhelmingly positive. I am not surprised with these results. I am a believer in acupuncture, having used it for chronic fatigue syndrome, injuries and other health conditions. Indeed, I have seen enough positive results from friends, family and colleagues to know it works. There are very few conditions it cannot either relieve or cure. I cannot see why this would not apply to adult acne.

Some people do not like the idea of having needles stuck in them but it is generally not painful. The person that treated me was a qualified medical practicioner, which gave me some comfort. If you feel you would rather be under the care of a doctor then look for an MD who practices acupuncture or has an acupunturist attached to the practice. What I like about it is there are no drugs invloved and, therefore, no side effects. In addition to that, if you have other ailments, acupuncture may help those at the same time.










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