[LifeStyle] The importance of watching your diet when you have acne

[#Steeven.™]

Increasingly at this time, acne is observed in adulthood, since it can appear at any age not only in adolescents and at this stage of life it is usually more prevalent in women. We will start by defining it as a common inflammatory condition of the skin in which a skin pore or sebaceous follicle (fat producer) becomes clogged with fat and dead cells that cause inflammation; it is common that you can even get an infection with skin bacteria.

The etiology of acne is multifactorial and there are four main components of its development:

• The pores of the skin become clogged with skin cells, dirt, oils, etc.
• Increased production of sebum in the skin
• Inflammation
• Bacterial infection of the skin (eg C. acnes)

According to the American Dermatological Association (AAD), there are several causes of acne in adults, including altered hormones, stress, genetics, inappropriate skin and hair care products, skin care hygiene habits, friction, medication side effects, underlying medical conditions, and use of masks.

In addition, the importance of taking care of diet and reducing stress is highlighted so that it is not caused even more at this time when we are forced to use a mask.

Remember that episodes of stress cause adrenaline and cortisol to increase and a reaction occurs that is reflected in the skin. The role of stress in acne is also due to its impact on digestion, as it alters the intestinal wall due to bacterial overgrowth, transit disorder and alteration of the intestinal barrier function.

Constipation is also key, since it is linked to increased intestinal permeability and causes a decrease in the concentration of healthy bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria

Another evidence that associates acne with diet is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) linked to insulin resistance, some patients have hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism and may also suffer from acne, which is relieved when treated to improve metabolism of insulin with hypoglycemic drugs under medical supervision. Also, androgen concentrations are reduced with a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet.

Therefore, I suggest a balanced diet, of the paleolithic type, with fewer insulinotropic cereals and minimal dairy products that limit the intake of foods high in fat (fried foods), fast foods, ultra-processed drinks, foods with a high glycemic index, chocolates, etc. ., with certain hours, rich in fatty acids with omega 3, fruits and vegetables, green tea, as well as the preference for organic dairy products, with lower hormonal content, drink water, avoid cigarettes, alcohol, exercise, get enough sleep , in addition to the topical or oral medical treatment sent by the dermatology specialist.

It should be noted that dairy is considered a fundamental food group during life for its key components in growth and development, of course they are not essential, like no other food. Reducing its consumption could help acne symptoms, but we must make sure to compensate for this change with foods that provide the same nutrients; in the case of valcio they can be legumes, sesame or nuts.

It is preferable to reduce the glycemic load of the diet by trying to replace refined foods with whole grains, incorporating fruits, vegetables and legumes to the detriment of cereals, sweets and pastries.

Despite extensive research on the relationship between acne and certain foods, the studies are still inconclusive because every body is different, so it is important to look at which foods can cause your breakouts.

It is known that there is a need for additional studies involving a larger sample study with different po[CENSORED]tions and studies with controlled clinical interventions.

2,000 years ago Hippocrates claimed: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." This summarizes that food strengthens or destroys our body, so we could conclude that our skin is also what we eat.