Health Care
Diseases & Cure
Common Diseases
Silent Killers
Health Care
My Other Sites
|
Acne Research
It is the male hormone, testosterone, which stimulates the
production of the sebaceous glands in times of stress. This is why people often
develop acne when under stress. Meat (including poultry) contains hormones and
hormone-like substances which can affect the hormonal balance in the body.
Beauticians have reported that women who regularly eat meat are more likely to
suffer from acne and hirsuitism which they put down to the steroids and hormone
levels in the meat.
Research published in the Journal of American Academy of
Dermatology has shown that Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) can help hormonal
imbalances that lead to acne. In fact, people with hormonal related acne have
been shown to have deficiencies of EFA's . It is therefore well worth ensuring
that the diet contains plenty of the EFA's in cases of PCO's.
Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance of healthy
skin and hormonal balance. Research has confirmed that people with severe acne
typically have low levels of vitamin A in their blood. There are several reports
of adolescent women with imbalanced hormonal function and consequent acne who
were 'cured' of acne within a few weeks after taking vitamin A supplements. In
one case, even the scars left from the acne disappeared. After two weeks of
vitamin A supplementation, the patient noted no new eruptions for the first time
in five years. The regime was so effective that there was no need for
conventional medical treatment for the removal of scars. Another patient also
reported that her face cleared up within one month of taking vitamin A, vitamin
E and brewers yeast tablets. Good natural sources of vitamin A include carrots,
green leafy vegetables (eg. broccoli, kale, spinach), yellow/orange fruits (e.g.
peaches, apricots, mangoes).
Zinc is known to help acne sufferers. Whilst the mechanism
by which it works is still not fully understood, a lack of zinc has been shown
to increase the production of male hormones. There have been several reports of
patients who were 'cured' of longstanding acne (one for over 12 years) which
were 'cured' with a low fat diet coupled with zinc gluconate supplements. In a
controlled study, zinc was shown to have "dramatic improvement" in approximately
60% of acne sufferers. (8) Zinc is found naturally in generous amounts in
brewers yeast, whole grains, brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds.
|
The most common form of acne is known as "acne vulgaris", meaning "common
acne." Many teenagers get this type of acne.
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by
clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples. The oil glands, or sebaceous glands, are
connected to hair follicles and release a substance known as sebum that
lubricates hair and skin. Usually, sebum travels up the hair follicle and out
onto your skin. But when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil and combine
with dead skin cells, the follicles become blocked and inflamed. The nose,
forehead, cheeks, chin, back, and trunk are the areas acne most often affects.
Between 17 - 45 million people have acne, making it the most common skin disease
in the United States. While it tends to last longer in women, men are more
likely to get acne and tend to have more severe cases. Acne is most common in
adolescents, and it generally disappears by age 30. Although it is not a serious
health threat, severe acne can be painful and may cause permanent scarring,
which can be upsetting for people who suffer from the condition.
The following may cause or worsen acne
- Family history of acne
- Using oily cosmetic or hair products containing vegetable or animal fats
- Hormonal changes common during adolescence, pregnancy, or menstruation
(acne tends to flare up 2 - 7 days before menstruation begins)
- Certain medications such as corticosteroids, androgens, oral
contraceptives, lithium, halogens, isoniazid, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and
high levels of iodine (such as from kelp)
- Sweating and friction on your skin, caused by headbands, back packs,
bicycle helmets, or tight collars
- Squeezing and picking comedones
Treatments Options
- Lessening sebum production
- Topical Medications
- Oral (taken by mouth) Antibiotics
- Surgery or other procedures
- Therapies - Nutrition -
Herbs - Homeopathy
|
|
|
