ACNE

ACNE

Eat plenty of:

·         Fresh fruits and vegetables for beta carotene and vitamin C.

_·          Sea food, lean, meat, poultry, yoghurt and whole grains for zinc and vitamin B6_.

Limit:

·         Kelp supplements.

·         Iodized salt.

_·          High doses of vitamin B₆ and B_12.

Acne is prevalent during adolescence, afflicting 85% of teenagers to some degree. Hormones are responsible for the acne. Diet and other life style factors, including cleanliness and sexual activity, do not cause acne. Heredity is suspected in some severe acne. A number of medications can also cause acne; major offenders include steroids and other hormonal agents, iodine preparations, lithium and anticonvulsants. Stress often triggers a flare-up of acne, most likely by altering hormone levels. In turn, hormonal changes can stimulate food cravings. Consequently, the acne suffer may erroneously attribute the acne to food, rather than stress, the real culprit.

Clear glowing skin reflects allover good health. This requires regular exercise, adequate sleep, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, as well as diet rich in some important nutrients.  Eat vitamin A and C rich foods. The beta carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A, may reduce sebum production.

The best dietary sources of beta-carotene are brightly colored fruits and dark green vegetables. Citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, melons, pepper, broccoli, cabbage, and potatoes are especially rich in vitamin C. B₆ is found in meat, fish, poultry, whole grains, beans lentils, avocadoes, nuts, potatoes, bananas, and leafy greens.

Some studies link Zinc to skin health and claim it may help to improve acne. Sea foods- especially oysters-red meat, poultry, yoghurt, milk, and whole grains are rich in zinc. High doses of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂  can aggravate acne symptoms, and high doses of vitamin A can cause dryness of skin and hair loss. And also the risk of osteoporosis.

Most persistent mild to moderate acne can be controlled with proper skin care, good nutrition and nonprescription drugs such as 2.5 to 10 percent strength of Benzoyl peroxide Gel, lotion or ointment.  A dermatologist may prescribe tretinoin, a tropical medication  derived from vitamin A; an antibiotic may also be tried. Isotretinoin ( Accutane ), a potent oral drug, is reserved for severe cystic acne. Since accutane can cause svere birth defects, women taking this medication should be counseled to use multiple methods of bithr control.