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Acne Diet - The Western Diet And Acne

The Western Diet is typically composed of high-glycemic foods,
which have indicated in several studies conducted, to cause acne
breakouts. Such foods that have high glycemic index (GI) include
refined sugar and starchy foods such as cereals, grains, milk,
breads, and processed foods.

According to some studies, the increase in the level of insulin
hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in the human body
system, results to the rise of testosterone level in males.
Consequently, as testosterone directly affects the secretion of
sebaceous glands, increased testosterone brings about an
excessive sebum production. The sebum or oil produced inside the
body may clog the pores of the skin, creating a
bacteria-friendly environment and thus triggering acne
outbreaks. 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 study conducted had observed that participants, who
only ate natural foods rather than the highly-refined foods
common in a Western diet, showed minor, or no pimple problems at
all.

Furthermore, they conducted the same study on immigrants on
westernized locations. Surprisingly, these persons, who used to
consume only natural foods and did not ever experienced acne
before, have developed the disease when they moved to their
current western residence and have adapted the western diet that
is composed of highly refined foods.

Western Diet – High Fat Foods

This diet also consists of high fat foods. Large amounts of fat
inside the body can lead to over secretion of the sebaceous
glands. Moreover, the fatty content in Western foods is composed
primarily of sebum. Also, high fat foods can actually lead to
poor blood circulation in the body, making the person more prone
to acquiring acne.

Furthermore, incorporating the Western diet in young teenagers
causes a sudden increase in the sex hormones, causing an even
higher occurrence of acne.

Studies have also shown that too much caffeine can also
increase the stress hormone levels inside the body. The large
amounts of these stress hormones can further trigger the
development of acne, or worsen existing acne conditions. The
Western diet typically includes high-caffeine beverages, such as
tea, soda, and coffee.

Other studies have also presented the relevance of the
significant amounts of dairy products and red meats in the
Western diet to the incidence of acne problems. The large
content of protein in this diet increases the levels of IGF-1,
which, as mentioned earlier, can also increase the level of
testosterone, indirectly over stimulating the production of
sebum, as well.

Studies further show that dietary changes concentrating on low
glycemic carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, have
positive endocrine effects that are therapeutically effective in
treating acne. Such beneficial endocrine changes maintain the
normal and healthy growth of the cells of the skin, as well as
promote normal production of sebum.

Although there is actually no firm evidence on the relationship
of certain foods in the Western diet and the occurrence of acne,
it is still best to control the amounts (neither too little nor
too much) of whatever kinds of food that we take.