Nutrition for Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that involves over activation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. These glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that normally acts to lubricate the hair and skin by moving up a follicle and out through a skin pore. Scientists and patients have long debated the role that diet plays in creating, maintaining, and treating acne. Currently, conventional medicine does not acknowledge any role for nutrition in acne, even though some studies have shown a relationship. However, there is emerging alternative literature on the benefits of proper nutrition for acne based on homeopathy, naturopathy, and Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines.

Nutritional Approaches to Acne

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services collaborate every 5 years on a set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines integrate the best current scientific knowledge about diet and health into a set of recommendations in 9 different areas, including adequate nutrition and calorie consumption, weight management, food groups, and food safety. The Department of Agriculture then develops actual diet plans for use by the general public. The overall goal of the recommendations is to increase health and fitness and reduce risk for disease. The next set of guidelines will be published in 2010.

The Guidelines do not include a specific dietary plan for acne. However, several alternative approaches do address the link between nutrition and acne:

• Dietary changes suggested for acne include increasing your intake of beta-carotene, which is found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, including carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. Some alternative practitioners suggest increasing zinc, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E, among other vitamins and minerals.

• Herbal treatments include black currant seed, evening primrose oil, echinacea, calendula, and tea tree oil in various preparations, including tinctures and teas. To reduce stress, herbalists suggest teas made of lavender and chamomile. Chinese herbalists may suggest honeysuckle flower supplements.

• Ayurvedic approaches to acne include eating bland foods, like oatmeal, rice, and apple sauce and eliminating fried foods, citrus, and spicy foods. Teas with fennel and cumin are often prescribed. Specific treatments for the skin are also used, and include pastes made of almond powder and goat’s milk, and crèmes with turmeric and sandalwood.

What Does Good Nutrition Involve?

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include the following information on specific food groups:

• Fruits and vegetables: Daily recommended portions include t wo cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables, varying the types of fruits and vegetables. With vegetables, for instance, variation comes from choosing among five vegetable groups: starchy, dark green, orange, legumes, and other vegetables.

• Whole grains: At least three ounces of whole grains is recommended per day , with at least half of all grains consumed being whole grains.

• Dairy: Three cups of low or non-fat milk or milk products per day is recommended.

• Fats: Saturated fats per day should account for less than 10% of the recommended 2,000 calories per day; total fat should be between 20 and 35% of calories . The maximum daily cholesterol intake should be less than 300 mg . No t rans fats at all should be consumed, if possible. Instead, eat good fats, which are found in fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

• Carbohydrates: F iber-rich foods are best. Foods and beverages with added sugars should be avoided completely.

• Sodium and Potassium: Daily recommended salt intake should be less than 1 teaspoon. Consume potassium-rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables .

What is Acne?

Acne is the scientific term for a variety of skin problems, including pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and nodules. Acne is the most common skin disease. It is estimated that 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 experience outbreaks of acne. Most acne outbreaks occur on the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and buttocks. Although acne is not viewed as a serious health threat, it can result in permanent scarring.

The immediate cause of acne is the creation of plugs in skin pores. These plugs contain sebum from the sebaceous glands, as well as dead skin cells, and possibly bacteria in some cases. Plugs with a dark center are called blackheads. Pimples are whiteheads that rupture. Nodules and cysts are larger boil-like lumps that form deeper under the skin. When bacteria infect the plugs, additional redness and inflammation can result.

The longer-term causes of acne are unknown. Some research points to changes in certain hormone levels. There is also research indicating that acne may be partly hereditary. Certain medicines can also cause acne. Pollution and exposure to high humidity can cause acne to worsen. Stress can also make acne worse.

Following the recommendations for nutrition for acne above can help alleviate skin conditions like acne and can complement or provide an alternative to prescription medication.