Home | Health & Fitness | Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that creates not only discomfort and embarrassment, but can also cause pain and irritation. Many common misconceptions surround the causes and prevention of acne. These include the affect of diet on both the frequency and the severity of acne breakouts. While acne has traditionally been a common complaint of adolescents and teenagers, many people struggle with the condition throughout their adult lives. Acne affects more than ninety percent of the world's population. It is not limited by age, or race, or sex. Acne is the most common skin disorder treated by dermatologists, with most patients being teenagers and adults. Scientific research has suggested that acne is often caused by physiological factors such as hormones and genetics. Then again, other reports show that bacteria and other environmental factors can cause breakouts. The debate on how diet contributes to acne has also raged for many years. The potential relationship between diet and acne has been a topic of speculation for many years. While some dermatologists claim that diet has nothing to do with the formation of acne, many others insist that there is a link between certain foods and the presence of acne. It appears that the food we eat may well play a role in the development of acne outbreaks. Studies indicate that when we eat refined carbohydrates and sugars we can experience a surge of both insulin and an insulin-like growth factor known as IGF-1. When IGF-1 is released in the body, it can lead to an overload of the male hormone called androgen. This hormone is believed to be one of the strongest factors in the formation of acne. Further, those who believe in the link between diet and acne maintain that when an excess amount of male hormones is produced, the pores of the skin begin to secrete sebum. This oily or greasy substance will generally pull the attention of acne-causing bacteria. This process also triggers the IGF-1 to cause skin cells known as keratinocytes to duplicate and multiply, an activity that also contributes to the formation of acne. Studies conducted on residents of the island of Papua, New Guinea, and the people of Paraguay have contributed further to the link between acne and diet. The results of this particular study led researchers to believe that a diet rich with grains can contribute to acne. Limited grains can optimize health benefits, and a low-grain diet may be beneficial in preventing acne. The acne and diet issue remains one of the hottest topics in the medical field, however lack of funding may hinder the amount of actual research that is being conducted. Some critics claim that doctors and dermatologists will claim that diet does not affect acne, so that they may sell more pharmaceutical treatments. A poor diet will cause many diseases. On the other hand, good nutrition is essential to maintain overall well being. It only stands to reason that eating a proper, balanced diet will keep your skin healthy, too. If you find yourself fighting a constant battle against acne, take on the physiological factors with a proper diet, and use proper cleansers and treatments to combat environmental aggravators.
Article Source: Free Articles - http://www.articlesworldonline.com
Contributor Selena Rymore is a columnist for numerous Internet magazines, on health information and acne skin care product themes.
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
