Myth #1: Wheat causes acne.
FALSE. Acne Myth BUSTED!
The reason there are theories that
wheat causes acne is because wheat products can alter the glycemic index (GI)
which provides a measure of how quickly blood sugar levels rise. All high
GI products eg. white bread, most white rice, corn flakes, extruded breakfast
cereals, glucose, maltose, maltodextrins, potato, sweets etc, cause blood sugar
to spike dramatically. Elevated blood sugar stimulates your body to pump
out insulin which then triggers a cascade of hormonal effects, including
elevated levels of androgens (the acne-causing male hormones), excess oil, and
increased skin cell production, all of which lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Also, some cases of acne (and eczema, psoriasis) are aggravated by food
allergies, eg. gluten which is found in such grains as wheat, barley and rye.
Myth #2: Dairy causes acne.
TRUE.
Cow’s milk (even organic) contains
its own hormones (including androgens) and growth factors (including bovine
IGF-1). Everytime you drink milk or eat dairy products, the cow hormones are
absorbed by your body and remain active in the bloodstream, so they can affect
your skin (and acne) in the same way as humane hormones. Furthermore,
even though milk is low on GI, dairy products have been shown to elevate
insulin production to the same extent as white bread. Whey protein from
cow’s milk which has androgen-like effects also promotes acne. Dairy can also
promotes inflammation, contributing to a host of issues including acne.
Myth #3: Coming off the pill causes
acne.
TRUE.
Certain contraceptive pills (Yaz,
Diane35 and Ortho Tri-Cyclen) block the action of androgens (the acne-causing
male hormones). As you come off the pill your hormones go out of whack and acne
can arise. Good news is it is treatable through correct nutritional and
lifestyle strategies. Take supplements that contain zinc and vitex herb,
at a dosage specifically designed to stop acne by effectively balance the
hormones. Going to sleep before 11pm is also vital to keep your hormones
happy. A clean diet that limits meat intake and avoid dairy products is
essential – meat and dairy can cause inflammation, contributing to a host of
issues including acne.
Myth #4: Red foods cause or worsen
acne and pigmentation
FALSE.
Natural red foods such as red
capsicum, beetroot, tomatoes etc contain the most anti-aging and sun protective
antioxidants and will help you achieve good health and hence clear glowing
skin. Artificial food colourings, including red food dyes found in many
processed foods and cakes, however, have been linked to a range of health
issues, including acne and eczema. Also, dyes used in cosmetic and makeup
products including D&C Red #9 and D&C Red #40 are known to cause acne
and pigmentation.
Myth#5: Dirty/oily hair that brushes
against your face cause acne. For e.g. heavy fringes/bangs
FALSE
The hairs on our head are lubricated
by sebum (the same oil that lubricates our skin). How much oil your
glands produce is mostly determined by heredity, but just as your skin can get
oilier during puberty (which is one reason teenagers struggle so much with
acne), your hair can become oilier during similar hormonal shifts. Taking
a good dose of Vitamin B5 has been proven to control or regulate sebum
production.
Myth#5: Pimples on your chin are
linked to your ovaries, so when you're in your menstrual cycle you're more
likely to break out on your chin.
TRUE
Hormonal acne do tend to show up on
the chin, neck, and along the jawline rather than the oily T-zone.
Androgens in your body (the acne causing hormone) naturally spike around
ovulation. Studies show that your body produces the most androgen
around days 21 to 26 of a 28-day cycle, resulting in larger ores and increased
oil production which promotes acne.
Myth#6: Sugar contributes to acne.
TRUE
Sugar, particularly refined sugar
eg. glucose, fructose, maltose is high on GI and can trigger dramatic blood
sugar spikes. Elevated blood sugar stimulates your body to pump out
insulin which then triggers a cascade of hormonal effects, including elevated
levels of androgens (the acne-causing male hormones), excess oil, and
increased skin cell production, all
of which lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Adding good fats to high GI
foods can help reduce the effects on insulin.
Myth #7: Mentally split your face
horizontally through the middle, any breakouts about the invisible line are
caused by diet and anything below is caused by hormones.
FALSE
Although hormonal acne do tend to
show up on the chin, neck, and along the jawline rather than the oily T-zone,
acne on the face and other parts of the body can also be caused by hormone
imbalances, not just diet alone – a diet containing substantial diary products,
refined sugar, highly processed foods, high GI foods promotes acne by elevating
the blood sugar level dramatically, increasing production of androgens (acne
causing hormones) and cause inflammation.
Myth #8: Stress and alcohol
consumption cause pimples.
TRUE
Studies show that cells that produce
sebum have receptors for stress hormones, so when a person with acne
experiences a lot of stress, these sebum-producing cells become “unregulated”
and more oil is produced to clog the hair follicles to allow more acne to
form. Alcoholic beverages on the other hand are often full of sugar, and
sugar promotes acne by elevating blood sugar levels resulting in a cascade of
hormonal effects, including increased androgens (acne-causing hormones), excess
oil, and increased skin cell production, all of which lead to clogged pores and
breakouts. Avoid mixed drinks and cocktails with added sugar.
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myths about acne causes