blog.Live Health com.net

Adult acne affects literally millions of people. We tend to think of acne as



a teenage problem but, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, it



is the most common skin disorder in the United States.



Consider this:

· Over 50 per cent of women of all ages suffer from acne at some stage in



their lives. .

· 80 per cent of adults between the ages of 20 and 30 suffer from mild to



moderate acne

· Even after age 50, over 15 per cent of women and over 7 per cent of men



still suffer from acne

· Adult men are not as prone as women to acne but they can suffer for longer



periods of time and have more severe symptoms



The same things cause adult acne as teenage acne – too much sebum in the body.



Sebum is oil secreted by the sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin. It is



when too much oil is produced that the problems start – the pore becomes



blocked, p.acne bacteria multiply and attacks the follicle. In the process



the bacteria produces free fatty acids that irritate the skin. The body then



reacts to defend the skin, which can cause an inflammatory response resulting



in the acne symptoms we know so well.



The main reason the body produces too much oil is an imbalance of hormones



in the body. That’s why women will have acne outbreaks when their hormones



are awry – ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It’s also why



men have more severe and longer lasting acne – they produce more



testosterone.



The way to treat acne is to restore the body’s natural balance. That’s why a



healthy lifestyle can help – by helping the body rid itself of toxins,



controlling the production of oil and restoring hormonal balance.



Whilst there has been a long running debate about the effects or non-effects



of diet on acne, recent research has shown there is a strong link. There are



indications that a low GI diet lowers the outbreaks. The reason for this is a



high GI diet – one high in refined sugars, white flour, white rice –



increases the blood sugar level. The body needs to bring the blood sugar



level down. It does this by a surge of insulin and other male hormones. This



creates an excess of sebum, which starts the whole process of acne formation.



A well-balanced diet on its own may not cure acne but it will certainly help



control it by laying a good foundation for other treatment. Following a



healthy diet will:



· Provide nutrients to the body in the form of vitamins and minerals

· Help the body’s immune system deal with ailments

· Help the body heal itself

· Lift energy levels

· Promote a positive feeling of well being



It is no surprise then, when we learn researchers have found a strong link



between a healthy lifestyle and reduced acne breakouts.

Many start a diet with high hopes. However, after the initial enthusiasm of the diet rubes off, many people simply give up to go back to old habits. Moreover, people think that there must be an easier way to lose weight and go fad diet hunting! The fact is that »»