Acne: The Solution is Simple
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By Stephanie Wills
There is nothing worse than waking up with a big red bulge on your face that seems to have miraculously grown to an unbelievable size overnight! In the past this used to be a common adolescent grievance, however, lately acne or ‘problem skin’ has started to affect more and more adults at some point in their lives. 

acne-medications-side-effectsTreatment options
Usually one turns to over-the-counter products, anti-biotics and/or prescription medication. Unfortunately while these options seem to alleviate the problem initially, there are often accompanying side-effects and inevitably the acne seems to flare up again after a certain period of time. 

So what is to be done?
Well, often the reason that these treatments are not effective long term is that they focus on eliminating the symptoms of acne rather than the underlying cause! 

What then is the cause of acne?
There may be a number of reasons ranging from hormonal fluctuations, candida, body pH, drugs, low-immunity and allergenic reactions … However the predominant problem, especially in our westernized society, is two-fold:

DIET & STRESS

1. Diet factor
You’re not going to like me very much when you read this, but unfortunately a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates is a major contributor to acne outbreaks. This includes all the yummy things like; sweets, cakes, pastries, biscuits, white bread, pasta, fizzy drinks etc - otherwise known as ‘simple carbohydrates.’ 

acne1dietThe digestion of simple carbs causes a rapid increase of insulin (the hormone that controls our blood glucose levels) as well as something called ‘insulin-like growth factor’ (IGF-1). Higher IGF-1 levels can lead to increased male hormones, which cause your pores to secrete excess sebum (an oily substance that attracts acne-promoting bacteria). Most simple carbohydrates also contain gluten which may contribute to acne symptoms if there is a gluten intolerance. 

Another food group that seems to exacerbate acne is dairy! Acne may develop due to an allergenic reaction (lactose-intolerance) and/or as a result of the hormone or steroid presence in most commercial dairy products. Even the fat content of dairy products can worsen the condition!

Healthy dietary recommendations
- Eliminating sugar, processed foods and simple carbs radically improves acne for most people; even wholegrains may need to be limited initially as they too can raise your insulin and IGF-1 levels! 
fruitnvegetablesskin- Rather consume ‘complex carbohydrates’ found in vegetables, because your body handles their digestion differently. Vegetable-carbs are slow to break down into simple sugars and thus have a minimal insulin impact. Vegetables are also highly nutritious, enzyme-rich, gluten-free and full of fiber to facilitate colon cleansing and helping the body get rid of toxins.
- Choose vegetable juices, especially green juices, instead of fruit juices (sugar is very concentrated in all fruit juices) 
- Choose dairy substitutes such as rice milk, oat milk and nut milks and why not make your own non-dairy cheeses (cashew-nut cheese is delicious and so easy to make!) 
- Always remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day

acnestress2. Stress factor
One study involving college students found that individuals who had the most stress during examination periods also had the worst acne outbreaks. This just goes to show that emotional stress from external sources (work, studying, kids, marriage, trauma etc) may be a significant factor when it comes to figuring out the cause of outbreaks. 

Stress also has an affect on our hormones levels which may in turn lead to increased acne flare-ups. 

Healthy relaxation recommendations
It is so important to learn how to manage your stress! Not just to prevent acne breakouts, but because research has shown that nearly every health condition may be potentially worsened by stress. 

Reduce your stress with good quality sleep, times of solitude or rest (even 5mins can do wonders!), sit in the sun, breathe in some fresh air, exercise regularly, practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or pilates, laugh a lot, journal, pray, think about all the things you are grateful for… find one or two that suits your personality and lifestyle and make it a habit!

Helpful nutritional supplements
Sometimes all it takes to reverse an acne outbreak is one key nutrient:
vitamin• Chromium picolinate – aids in reducing infections of the skins, regulates the insulin response and therefore helps control blood glucose levels. 
• Zinc – anti-bacterial, immune-boosting, regulates the oil-producing glands of the skin, aids in healing of tissues, collagen formation and helps to prevent scarring.
• MSM – cellular detoxifier, promotes gastrointestinal health, nourishes skin, hair and nails and aids in the healing of tissue.
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid – powerful antioxidant (both water and fat soluble), controls blood sugar levels and helps to detoxify the liver. 
• Vitamin D - crucial for maintaining a healthy immune response and thus controlling infection from acne-causing bacteria.

The solution is simple
Acne is not a disease, it is simply a message that something is wrong with either your physical or emotional well-being. Proper diet, relaxation, nutritional supplements and maybe even a new skin care range (preferably organic) may be all that is needed to correct the problem. Just remember to be a little patient, and you will be rewarded with the long term results you want. 

For any more information please either email me or pop into Lifestyle Health and chat to anyone of our knowledgeable and friendly staff.