Acne - Face It Naturally
For the Health of It
Once thought to be a condition that only afflicted teenagers, acne can trouble us into our 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s, as if we were fresh-faced high schoolers. Indeed, the stats are high; acne affects us all at some point in our lives. But the disorder continues to be misunderstood, even by the medical community. What causes zits and blackheads? What treatments work most effectively? Am I going to break out if I eat this chocolate?
Acne is an inflammation of the skin's sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, mainly on the face, chest, and back. There is a bacterial component to acne, but, contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by bacteria. Acne occurs when androgens and other hormones (the ones having a heyday when we’re teenagers) create overactive oil glands and thus pore blockage, which in turn colonizes the naturally occurring, typically harmless bacteria. Our immune systems react to this clustering of bacteria, leading to the inflammation.
It is also true that stress and acne often go hand in hand and, unfortunately, the two can exacerbate one another. Acne can lead to stress and stress produces the hormones that lead to acne, initiating a true vicious cycle. Therefore, I always recommend stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, cardiovascular exercise, or mediation, in addition to the recommendations below.
A “Western” Disease?
The allopathic medical community has had a very difficult time making up its mind as to whether there is a link between diet and acne. For many years, doctors told pimply teenagers to stay away from pizza, chocolate, and soda, among other “junk foods,” but then reneged on this theory and stated that, despite public opinion claiming the opposite, there was no association between what we put in our mouths and acne. Regrettably, this flip-flopping and uncertainty about the root of the problem only caused more confusion for sufferers.
Currently, many doctors, both Western and naturopathic, are in agreement that watching what we eat has a significant effect on the health of our skin. In fact, many are questioning whether acne is an isolated skin disorder or if it is an endocrine or immune imbalance or systemic inflammatory condition.
From my research on skin conditions of many types, I am convinced that all skin disorders originate in the gut. As I stated in my Gimme Some (Healthy) Skin article, our skin, the largest organ of our body, is linked to all our major bodily functions and what’s inside will always come out. Fortunately, I’ve witnessed severe psoriasis, eczema, and acne sufferers see truly dramatic results with alterations in the diet.
There is substantiation of a higher incidence of acne in populations consuming a high-glycemic, inflammation-generating diet, one that is rich in processed carbohydrates, refined oils, dairy products, and low in omega-3 fatty acids. According to Jesse Buikema, natural foods expert in Minneapolis, “New research suggests that diet, and more specifically a high-glycemic diet, is a major environmental factor in the onset and severity of acne.”
Related Articles:
Read Past Articles · the Archives
Fun Thumbs
