Why What you ARE NOT Eating May Cause Acne

While research certainly indicates that the presence of certain items within the Western diet may very well lead to the high incidence of acne among Western populations, other studies indicate the absence of certain items in the Western diet may also contribute to high acne incidences. Specifically, it is now believed that the lack of antioxidants and other plant-derived nutrients within the Western diet could be a cause of high acne percentages as well.

It has been noted that in cultures around the world that exist on a majority plant based diet, there are fewer incidences of acne. In many of these populations, there are actually almost no incidences of acne. These studies have led researchers to conclude that it is highly likely that the absence of such critical elements in the typical Western diet may prevent healthy skin. 6.

One vitamin in particular that the Western diet is lacking that could very well lead to acne related problems is Vitamin B6. Several years ago, researchers undertook a study to determine whether the typical Western diet really was lacking in sufficient amounts of Vitamin B6. A group of healthy American male volunteers were placed on two types of diets; both of which were equivalent to the average American diet for a period of 35 days.

At the end of the study, it was concluded that the availability of Vitamin B5 only averaged approximately 50% of the daily recommended value. How were these results significant in looking at the development of acne, however?

Further studies were conducted to determine whether the fact that the average American diet is substantially deficient in Vitamin B5 has any role in the high percentage of acne cases presented in the United States. According to emerging theories, it is now believed that the deficiency of Vitamin B5 not only has an influence on the hormones that trigger the development of acne, but may in fact; also be able to reduce the presence of acne.

Vitamin B5, which is also known as Panthothenic Acid, is commonly found in foods such as eggs, liver, kidney, saltwater fish, pork, beef, chicken, pork, milk, potatoes, brewer’s yeast, whole wheat, peas, beans and other fresh vegetables. While it would seem that there should be no problem with obtaining the necessary amounts of this vitamin from the foods we eat, considering the wide array of foods containing Vitamin B5; the problem arises due to the fact that at least 50% of the vitamin is lost in grain during the milling process. Add to this, the fact that the average American diet is sadly lacking in fresh vegetables and there clearly begins a deficiency issue.

One of the primary roles of this vitamin is to aid the body in the immune process. As previously mentioned, the development of acne really boils down to the body’s immune response system. As Vitamin B5 also plays an important role in the hormones that we now know are linked to the development of acne, when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B5 in a diet, there will naturally exist the potential for acne development.

The average American diet is also believed to be lacking in other vitamins such as Vitamins A, C and E as well as L-Carnitine and Zinc. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is commonly known for its important role in sustaining healthy vision; however, it also plays an important role in preventing and clearing up infections of the skin. This role is so critical, that one of the most popular acne treatment medications of all time, Retin A, is based on this vitamin.

Vitamin A can be obtained naturally through such food sources as turnip greens, beets, carrots and spinach as well as various fruits including apricots, mangoes, raspberries and oranges. Carrots contain the most Vitamin A, coming in at a whopping 12,000 mcg. It shouldn’t be surprising to note that the American diet is so lacking in Vitamin A due to the fact that once again, it is seriously lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin A is believed to be so strongly connected to preventing acne, that studies have been undertaken to determine just how effective it might actually be when implemented into a daily regiment. Several important conclusions have been drawn from clinical studies conducted on this subject. First, individuals with severe acne have been shown to quite frequently have low Vitamin A levels.

In other studies, patients showed remarkable improvements in acne after Vitamin A was added back into their diet. The results ranged from patients who experienced positive results in just a matter of weeks to patients who even noticed an improvement in scars that had been left from previous bouts of acne.

Vitamin C deficiencies have long been known to produce problems such as scurvy, but a lack of Vitamin C can also cause other health related issues. The presence of vitamin C within the body is important because it builds up cell wall integrity as well as collagen. The problem with this vitamin is that the body is not able to store it for long periods of time, therefore; it must be replenished often.

Excellent natural sources for vitamin C primarily include fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits as well as tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, peas, cauliflower, cantaloupe, rutabagas, papayas, kiwi, watermelon and potatoes.

Vitamin E helps to maintain healthy skin by eliminating free radicals which can be harmful. Vitamin E is also responsible for regulating the retinol, or Vitamin A, levels within the body. As levels of Vitamin A decrease within the body, a process begins in which unsaturated fatty acids within the cell become oxidated. The results are toxic effects in the cell.

Studies have shown that acne problems begin to improve with sufficient levels of Vitamin E. While it is certainly possible to obtain Vitamin E supplementation through synthetic forms; as with all other vitamins and nutrients, Vitamin E is most potent when it is obtained through natural sources. Excellent natural sources of Vitamin E include almonds, corn, eggs and leafy green vegetables.

Zinc is actually a mineral, rather than a vitamin; however studies indicate that it can have a tremendous effect on the prevention of acne; or the development of acne when it is lacking. This mineral is responsible for stimulating the activity of 100 enzymes within the body as well as supporting a healthy immune system.

In natural sources, the highest levels of zinc can be found in oysters; however other foods provide excellent sources of this essential mineral as well. These foods include beans, red meat and poultry. It should be noted that excessive amounts of zinc can be toxic; however therefore zinc is best obtained through natural food sources rather than synthetic supplementation.

Research indicates that an extremely high percentage of the populations, perhaps as much as 90%, may be lacking in sufficient levels of chromium. This nutrient is important to the body because it helps to regulate the amount of sugar that we consume. Considering the find that the average American diet is riddled with excessive amounts of sugar, and severely lacking in sufficient levels of chromium, it is no wonder that our society is so susceptible to problems with acne.

According to research, individuals who report severe cases of acne also typically have unstable levels of blood sugar. Further research showed that when these same study participants were given chromium supplementation, there was significant improvement in their skin. Chromium is typically found in natural food sources such as molasses and brewer’s yeast.

It has been noted in recent years that the average American diet is typically lacking in a trace element known as selenium. This drew attention from researchers initially because it was discovered that selenium is related to the prevention of cancer. Further research has now concluded that when selenium is combined with vitamins A and E, even persistent acne can be improved. This is because one of the responsibilities of selenium is to assist in the development of selenoproteins, which help to prevent cellular damage from free radicals.

The best natural source for selenium are plant foods, which are commonly found throughout the world, however; there are some areas where there are larger amounts of selenium found in local soil than in others. In the United States, large amounts of selenium have been found in Nebraska and the Dakotas; for example. In some regions of China and Russia, there are very low amounts of this important mineral.

Brazil nuts contain the highest amount of selenium than any other type of food; however it is possible to obtain selenium naturally through other foods such as meat from animals that were grazed on high selenium content grains. Certain types of seafood, such as tuna and cod, also contain selenium.

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