Eating too many of the wrong kinds of foods usually, have to come out of the body in one way or another. That is the body's way of eliminating harmful products. A stomach ache, runny nose, and body odors are a few of the ways our body tries to rid us of toxic foods. Skin problems and acne is another way. Too much of the wrong foods can cause acne and other skin problems.
The skin is an organ and toxins in the body are eliminated through the skin. You can clean your skin all the time, but eliminating the toxin causing foods in the first place is what you need to do.
| How can I clear up my acne and skin problems? There are several things you can do to clear up acne and have much clearer skin. The most important thing you can do for clear skin is to change your diet. Studies have shown that milk and dairy products are the main cause of acne. |
Too Much Animal Protein Causes Acne
Some foods can cause acne and skin problems, specifically too much animal protein, and Americans eat far more than we need and meat includes prepackaged meats, the lunch meats and deli meats and hotdogs.
They are loaded with sodium nitrates which can cause cancer and hurt the digestive system, allowing for “toxins” to be absorbed into the body instead of being eliminated.
Meat is also very acid making, and the body needs to be more alkaline than acidic. It is best to eat organic meat such as grass-fed beef and pasture raised poultry if you eat meat at all.
Refined Oil in the Diet Causes Skin Problems
The standard American diet is full of oils like soybean and corn oil. It is in every processed food and junk food you buy and eat. These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and can also cause acne.
On the other hand, fish and fish oil contain mainly omega-3 fatty acids, which can eliminate acne and skin problems.
Dairy Products and Acne
Dairy products are bad for you in the same way as meat is bad, too much protein. Not to mention dairy products are usually made from animals that have been injected with a lot of hormones and antibiotics and other chemicals which in turn you drink. Dairy products also include cheese, butter, and ice cream.
The Nurses Health Study of 47,000 found that those that drank the most milk as kids and teenagers had the most severe acne as compared to those that drink little to no milk as kids. The study also found that skim milk had the highest incidence of acne [Nurses Health Study].
Both dairy and meat have zero fiber, which causes the digestive system to work more slowly. When the digestion is too slow, bacteria and toxins can be absorbed into the body. These bacteria and toxins are then eliminated through the skin causing acne and other skin problems.
Real yogurt like Greek yogurt is different in the way it is already fermented and is absorbed into the body better. In fact, real yogurt can be healthy for the digestive system by promoting more healthy and good gut bacteria. Real Greek yogurt includes brands like Fage and Greek Gods.
Wheat, Sugar and Refined Carbs
Refined wheat like white bread, buns, donuts and much more are void of all of the nutrients you will find in whole wheat products. Sugar is also a refined carbohydrate. These refined foods and sugars are in every fast food, processed foods and junk foods you eat.
How to Get Rid of Acne
You can try and eliminate some of these food groups and see if your skin improves. A diet with healthy foods builds a strong digestive system, which eliminates the waste and toxins as they should be before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
If these wastes and toxins get past the gut or digestive system into the body, they have to be eliminated another way, and one way is through the skin.
If you think your digestive system isn’t working well, or you have just taken a prescription for an antibiotic which can kill the good bacteria in the digestive system, take a probiotic or eat healthy real yogurt.
What Foods to Eat for Clear Skin
That is a good question since it seems I have listed all of the main food groups. A good diet to get rid of acne and skin problems includes:
- Eat more vegetables and fruits every day. I know it isn’t always easy, but try to eat between 5 and 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Eat more foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna, and grass-fed beef. You can also take a fish oil or omega-3 supplement.
- Try adding turmeric to your foods and drink green tea and ginger tea.
- Drink almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or hemp milk instead of cow’s milk.
- A healthy plant-based oil-free diet would be the perfect anti-acne diet.
Lysine for Acne
Lysine is one of the essential amino acids and you can buy it as a supplement. Lysine supplements are mainly taken by people for the prevention and treatment of cold sores, shingles or herpes I symptoms.
Many of those taking L-lysine have also reported that it stops acne and clears up skin problems. You can take lysine as an everyday supplement or at the first sign of acne.
Usually, an everyday supplement would be 500-1000 mg. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements in case there are any drug interactions.
Conclusion
Acne seems to be a Western medical problem or that it isn’t common in countries that don’t eat the standard American diet. Possibly trying a vegetarian diet or plant-based diet would be the way to go and see if that helps your skin problems.
With a more simple and healthy diet, you can get rid of acne and skin problems. The fewer toxins and chemicals you eat in your diet, the fewer toxins need to be eliminated by your body.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2008-2018 Sam Montana
Resources:
PubMed: Milk consumption and acne in teenage boys. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008 May;58(5):787-93.
