Is There an Effective Anti Acne Diet?

There have been many debates and discussions over the years as to whether diets or the foods we eat have anything to do with acne. Myths about pizza ("pizza face") chocolate, and fats or greasy foods contributing to acne are everywhere, causing one to wonder if these are old wives tales or rooted in fact. The answer is probably a little bit of both. The short answer is that there are numerous complex reasons for acne (hormones, stress, allergies, and androgens), but it does appear that the right diet can help eliminate or lesson many of the factors (improper digestions, a buildup of toxins and inflammation) that contribute to acne. Any healthy diet that can lesson the effects of these things is certainly worth pursuing because:

Sluggish Digestion Encourages The Build Up Of Toxins Which Can Lead To Acne: While it's clear that certain foods don't solely cause acne, it's generally suspected that the metabolic process associated with improper food digestion may release chemicals that contribute to breakouts or make current breakouts worse. The high content of fats, chemicals, processed ingredients and dairy products in our American diet could well contribute to the fact that Americans experience far more acne than those who live in Eastern counties where diets are abundant in fruits, vegetables and low fat proteins like fish. This is possibly because the highly processed foods that Americans love are harder to digest, taxing and slowing down the digestive system and allowing toxins to take hold and lead to acne.

It would make sense then that any "acne diet" be full of high fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and lots and lots of water (at least 10 glasses) which helps with digestion. Any "acne diet" should avoid high fat processed "fast" or convenience foods at all costs. Such an acne diet would help regulate digestion and limit accumulated toxins.

Lowering Inflammation Through An Acne Diet Is Vital To Fighting Acne: Acne is commonly characterized by inflammation. That's easy to see by looking at puffy, dark red, angry, inflamed pimples. One way you can reduce inflammation is by bumping up your consumption of antioxidants. Green tea is a great source of antioxidants. Fish oil and the omega 3's it contains are chock full of antioxidants as well as being a well known, extremely effective inflammation reducer. Additionally foods that are high in vitamins A (liver, sweet potatoes, and apricots), vitamin C ( peppers, citrus, broccoli), and vitamin E (shrimp, olive oil, sunflower seeds,) can also help reduce inflammation.

High Fiber, Inflammatory Fighters Are Healthy Too: Luckily, high fiber, toxin and inflammation reducing foods are healthy ones which fit into any healthy living or weight loss plan. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, anti inflammatory supplements and loads of water are both the cornerstones of a healthy diet and just might be a great way to reduce acne too.