There is no clarity regarding the exact causes of acne. A person with acne might be at the same age and might have the same lifestyle and diet as their friend, who is not experiencing the problem at all. It is thought that the causes of the condition are much more specific and are related to the way the body of each individual works, even though acne is extremely common. Even though your personal eating habits and the food you eat might not be responsible for your acne they might actually have an indirect effect on it. There are a number of studies that have revealed a link between diet and this skin condition.

One of the latest findings comes from a study carried out in 2007. Scientists tested the effect of carbohydrates with a high glycemic index on male acne patients from the age of 15 to 25. Although their definition sounds complex, these carbs are simply the ones that cause an increase in glucose and insulin levels. Basically, these carbohydrates contain more sugar and/or make blood sugar spike. The group includes sugary foods and drinks as well as white breads and potatoes.

The researchers put one of the patient groups on a diet rich in carbs with a high glycemic index and the other group on a balanced diet that included carbs with a low glycemic index and protein. After 12 weeks, the acne sufferers with the healthier diet experienced around fifty percent reduction in the acne they had. The result comes to show that foods with sugary carbohydrates might worsen acne or at least prevent it from healing at a natural pace. It is also possible for a diet rich in carbs with high glycemic index to reduce the effectiveness of standard acne treatments.

More research is necessary to confirm the link between diet and acne. Scientists also need to explain how exactly food determines the severity of this skin condition. One viable explanation is related to the effect of refined carbohydrates and sugar on insulin. Sugary foods, white bread and potatoes cause the insulin levels in the blood to rise sharply. As a result, there is also an increase in IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). This is a hormone responsible for growth. It is known to have an anabolic effect similar to that produced by steroids. The increase of IGF-1 in the body can stimulate the secretion of male hormones. In turn, the oil glands in the skin will start producing more oil (sebum) and acne may become worse. It should be noted that this is still a theory suggested by some studies and not a fully proven explanation of the link between diet and acne.

Fat-rich foods, much like their sugary counterparts, are often blamed for acne as well. These do not have a direct effect on hormones either, but they can also affect negatively the blood sugar levels. The consumption of excessive amounts of fat leads to higher cholesterol and automatically increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It is possible for fat-rich foods to affect the production of male hormones and acne through the increase of insulin after meals, but this hypothesis has not been researched yet.

In general, it cannot be concluded with certainty that the popular modern day diet rich in carbohydrates with high glycemic index and fatty foods can aggravate acne, even though some studies have revealed that a healthier diet has a better effect on the skin condition. Still, research carried out in 2002 has revealed interesting findings. Some indigenous tribes in remote jungle areas in different parts of the world do not experience acne at all. Researchers found no incidence of the condition in any tribe members. This suggests that there might be factors in their diet and lifestyle that protect them from acne.

We may have to wait much longer for validation and explanation of the link between diet and acne to be found. For the time being, your best bet is to improve your diet by reducing the potentially harmful foods in it. This might not have a direct result on your acne, but you will certainly enjoy a wide range of other health benefits.

Author Bio: For more information about getting rid of acne fast and other skincare issues, please visit Health Search Online at: http://www.healthsearchonline.com/category/skincare/

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: acne,skincare,diet