October 28, 2013
Acne and insulin resistance.
For years dermatologists have told patients that food has little or nothing to do with acne proliferation.
What is the reality? Let us look at PCOS as an example of hormonally driven acne.
If we believe that acne is hormonally driven and hormones are affected by food, then it should make sense that food will affect acne. When we look at PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, a female disorder that has acne, male hair growth and anxiety/depression as clinical symptoms, we find insulin resistance as a major problem.
In PCOS stress causes increases in cortisol (stress hormone) and male type androgen hormones. The cortisol drives increased blood glucose levels which in turn drives increased insulin secretion and then receptor resistance. Then more insulin is released causing more androgens to flood the system. These androgens promote acne development.
A diet laden with refined flour and sugar will drive insulin spikes in the blood stream. A cycle of dysfunction is in place now.
How about teenage acne? This form of acne is believed to be less sensitive to dietary changes acutely, but over time a diet low in refined flour and sugar, low in dairy and high in fiber has helped many teenagers control the severity and complexity of acne.
Acne is primarily a disease of western cultures. It has been documented that people from non western cultures do not suffer from acne.
The research is showing that a low glycemic diet is the best way to control hormonally driven acne. By reducing the consumption of foods that spike blood sugar, you effectively reduce insulin spikes and androgen hormone production.
Changing your diet to avoid acne is preferable to using the drugs and antibiotics that have negative long term effects.
Pimples begone,
