Dairy and Acne
Ever wonder why some people are impacted with acne while others are not? You will be surprised as to how many in this world suffer from acne. Starting from teenage years to adult hood, some people never stop dealing with acne. Acne is a very common skin condition in the United States, according to Healthline, the American Academy of Dermatology estimates that acne affects 50 million people each year. [1] Dermatologists always recommend or push drugs to treat but never go to the root cause of the problem, they never analyze the nutritional aspect of someone’s diet.
There are many studies that link dairy and acne, but doctors never want to believe it, or they will say, there is not enough data to support that theory. Well guess what, we are the only country in the world where children, teenagers, and adults consume dairy in almost everything. Milk for cereals, cheese, sour cream, shakes, everything has some form of dairy. I can attest to my personal journey with suffering from acne as a teenager and as an adult. I have tested the theory myself, which is why I no longer consume milk, ice cream, and cut out the cheese in my meals. Very difficult sometimes, as I do like to have some cheese from time to time, but I am reminded, if I do, do I want to suffer with acne the next day?
If you are suffering from acne, do the test for yourself and see if your acne improves. I know it did for me. Start out for two weeks, take out any form of dairy, milk, yogurt, and cheese. Medical News Today note that dairy subgroups such as full fat, low fat, skim, and whole milk can contribute to acne. [2] To this day, if I consume some form of dairy, my skin will react the very next day. This is a clear sign that my body is telling me to avoid these foods, which is causing some form of inflammation within. Other foods to remove from your diet include sugars, and processed foods. Coffee has also been linked to acne for some people. According to Clearstem Skincare,[3] “if you consume caffeine on a semi-regular basis, it increases androgen production (the “male hormones”) and causes your adrenals to artificially react. “Androgens cause our bodies to experience stress, which is directly linked to the overproduction of skin cells and clogged pores, as well as the release of the stress hormone cortisol,” says the Holistic Health Herbalist.
The sugar and cream used, and coffee does raise cortisol levels, increasing the production of androgens (cause acne). This can be very challenging for some, but in the end, you have acne to lose and clear skin to gain without all the drugs, and topical creams, and laser treatments that doctors push your way, all to profit from your illness.
Foods to consume to help with acne include: [4]
Berries can improve brain health, lower cholesterol, promote healthy blood sugar levels, reduce risk for heart disease and diabetes, and promote regular bowel movements.
Kale is packed with vitamins A, B-6, C, and K, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium
Lemons help with increasing collagen production, and blocking free radicals, and lightening acne scars
Papaya has vitamins A, C, and K, B vitamins, including folate, potassium, magnesium, and calcium
Quinoa has a high source of fiber which helps with digestion
Salmon contains antioxidants, omega-3 fats, protein, B vitamins, potassium, and selenium
Other things I have added to my daily diet are Zinc supplements and magnesium. Make sure you get pure and high-quality supplements. I use Dr. Mercola Zinc liquid drops. These supplements also help to keeping my skin clear. The next time you encounter acne, analyze what you are eating or drinking, you will be surprised of what you remove from your diet, will help you with having clear skin without any harmful chemicals or prescription drugs.
References
[1] Healthline (2018). Is there a link between dairy and acne? https://www.healthline.com/health/dairy-and-acne [2] Medical News Today. (2020). Dairy and acne: what are the relationship. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dairy-and-acne [3] Clearstem Skincare. (n.d) Coffee and Acne: how caffeine causes and worsens acne. https://clearstemskincare.com/blogs/skin-care-learning-center/caffeine-and-acne-why-coffee-is-bad-for-skin
[4] Healthline (2020). These 10 anti-acne foods will build up your skin defenses. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/anti-acne-foods
