Acne - How To Succeed 5

Causes of Acne

Carbohydrates

Continued

In certain quarters, it has been proposed that a link exists between processed foods as well as diets that are high in refined sugars, and the incidence of acne. This supposition is based on the fact that easily digestible foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as white bread and refined sugar, give rise to an excess of metabolic glucose which is quickly converted into fatty products which can ultimately accumulate in the sebaceous glands.

The Glycemic Index, or GI, represents a measurement of the effect of foods containing carbohydrates on the levels of blood sugar (which refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood). Carbohydrates that are broken down quickly during digestion so releasing glucose rapidly into the bloodstream, have a high GI. On the other hand, carbohydrates that are broken down more slowly, releasing glucose at a slower rate into the bloodstream, have a low GI. For the majority of people, foods with a low GI have significant health benefits. Consider the following examples:
Low GI – Most fruit and vegetables, pasta, milk
Medium GI – Whole wheat products, basmati rice, potato, sugar
High GI – Corn flakes, baked potatoes, white bread, rice, glucose

According to the above supposition, the almost complete absence of acne in non western societies has its foundation in the fact that the diet of such cultures is characterised by a low GI measurement in the glycemic index. However, the fact cannot be discounted that the absence of acne in such cultures may be due, at least in part, to genetic considerations. Another parameter that must be considered is the fact that similar cultures, such as South American Indians or the inhabitants of Pacific Islands, have indeed developed acne. It is worth noting that all the populations studied consumed neither milk nor dairy products.

Additional research is required to determine whether reducing the consumption of high-glycemic foods (such as soft drinks, sweets, white bread), or treatment that gives rise to greater insulin sensitivity (such as metformin), can significantly reduce the incidence of acne. In order to maintain high levels of general health, the consumption of high-glycemic foods should be kept to an absolute minimum. The consumption of junk food, with its high fat and sugar content, should indeed be avoided.

Recent research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and the US Naval Academy provided a controlled sample of respondents either with chocolate or a bar containing equivalent amounts of macronutrients (such as fat, sugar, etc). The results showed that, whether chocolate was consumed either frequently or infrequently, it had no effect on the development of acne.

Consider the following evidence:
In 2005, a review of available research findings came to the conclusion that “there was no conclusive evidence, either for or against, the argument that factors relating to diet, face washing or exposure to sunlight were able to have a measurable effect upon the control and eradication of acne.”

According to the American Medical Association, they can find no evidence to support the premise that chocolate was a contributing factor in the onset of acne.

Acne – How To Succeed