It is not what you put on your face that is going to help your acne problem.

Acne has the nasty habit of showing up when you least want it to.

Treat Acne From Within

You finally get to go on a much anticipated date and two nights before the great event, your skin erupts. Or you have been planning a party for months, deciding on what to wear (and what not to wear), only to find that the only thing that you are really wearing on the day is a big red angry looking zit on your face.

The blow is crushing and it is no wonder that this skin ailment is responsible for so much alienation, embarrassment and low self esteem. And it is not just about adolescents; 20% of American adults suffer from it too.

Over the Counter = Over Promises

But wait, isn’t help just around the corner in the local pharmacists? Row upon rows of every kind of pimple eliminators, zit killers and acne bashers?

All you have to do is fish out your wallet and buy preferably the whole range of acne control products : from the face wash to the toner to the moisturizer to the special over night acne remover. Oh, if you want, there is the concealer too so you can pretend you do not have any acne.

Or you resort to prescription antibiotics or worst yet accutane – possibly one of the most controversial oral acne treatment around due to its side effects.

The Culprit is Right in front of You:

According to Dr. Mercola, it is your diet that is the main culprit:

“More proof is continuing to emerge that the root cause of acne is not bacteria or genetics, but environmental factors—particularly your diet. Acne is much less of a problem in non-Westernized societies, where refined carbohydrates and sugar are consumed in much lower amounts. Solid evidence exists that diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates are the primary CAUSE of acne.”

The other cause is stress, which explains all those flare ups just before a big events.

What carbohydrates to avoid?

It is the simple carbohydrates that should be avoided : sugared deserts, sweets, muffins, doughnuts and foods that contain high fructose corn syrup. So are complex carbohydrates the way to go?

Yes and no.

Complex carbohydrates found in green leafy vegetables are the way to go, but foods such as nuts, beans and whole grains will need to be reduced if you have acne problems.

Dr. Mercola explains:

“Your body “prefers” the complex carbs found in vegetables to the complex carbs found in grains, because your body handles their digestion differently. Vegetable-carbs are slow to break down into simple sugars, with minimal insulin impact, whereas digestion of grain-carbs raises your insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

Higher IGF-1 levels can lead to increased male hormones, which cause your pores to secrete more sebum, a greasy substance that traps acne-promoting bacteria. IGF-1 also causes skin cells (known as keratinocytes) to multiply, a process associated with acne.

This is why most grains should be avoided if you have acne issues.”

Beware Dairy Products

Another food product to be avoided is milk, especially pasteurized milk.

Milk has a high amount of iodine  which is what farmers add to the cows’ feed to prevent infections, and iodine seems to irritate your skin more. The best thing to do is to avoid milk and dairy products for a few weeks and see if it makes a difference to your acne skin.

Here is a plan worth trying for better skin:

• Eliminate as much as possible sugar and grain from your diet. This is probably the most important step to try.
• Drink plenty of pure water to hydrate your skin and body. This will help your cells to regenerate and get rid of toxins in your body. If your urine is pale in color, you are doing it right.
• Exercise and sweat. Sweating will clear your pores of all the unwanted debris that is clogging up your pores.
• Get enough sleep so your body can recharge and mend itself. You will feel less stressed too.
• If you have been on antibiotics, take a good probiotic supplement to balance the bacteria in your gut for good immune health.
• Get plenty of sunshine on your skin. This will ensure you have the adequate amount of vitamin D which is necessary for a healthy immune system

If you have tried all the ointments, lotion and potion; not to mention the over counter oral prescriptions and have not seen any significant improvement, or it seems to work just for a little while and then you are back to square one, then you will need to try a different approach.

You need to avoid acne heartache and treat acne from within.

Read more from the original article here

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Can it Help Acne Skin?

Omega 3 for Acne Skin

I have always wondered whether acne skin can benefit from fish oil or whether, as so many Hollywood skin specialists claim – eat fish for at least three days before a big event to have glowing perfect looking skin.

Over Easter I went abroad to a little seaside town. The food was amazing but what got me salivating were all the fresh fish dishes on offer. After all we were by the sea so it made sense to really take this great opportunity and load up on fish.

I did that for a week. Sure, I ate other stuff too but my diet was mainly fish, especially the freshly grilled ones.

Lo and behold my skin texture improved. I really noticed a difference especially in how smooth and soft it became. Could there be truth in this acne skin and fish oil theory? And can it help people with acne skin?

So I started looking at Omega 3 fatty acids and how it can benefit acne skin.

What Omega 3 Fatty Acids can do for Acne Skin

Omega 3 fatty acids will help reduce inflammation and help the healing process. It will also help support normal skin cell turnover so that there are no residues blocking your pores. This improper skin turnover called keratinization leads to left over cells trapping sebum and protein and blocking oil glands and pores.

Now if you are not a great fish eater, you can still get Omega 3 from flaxseed oil; walnuts; sunflower seeds; and almonds. But if you do love fish, then the best source of Omega 3 will be found in cold water fishes such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.

Omega 3 will also hydrate and nourish your skin cells. People suffering from excessively dry skin or skin conditions such as eczema have benefited from an increase intake of Omega 3 as it renews skin cells, and has anti-inflammatory effects.

Omega-3 supplements are a good way to get fish oil as our body does not produce it and we need to get it from our diet, but make sure it is of a high quality free of oxidation and of the purest form. Also, make sure that it gives you the maximum amount of natural triglycerides and has a good amount of DHA and EPA.

If you have not taken fish oil before, start with a low dosage and build it up slowly to 3-4,000 mg a day. This amount is believed to be the best for acne skin.

Stay Away from Process Food and Trans Fat to Help Acne Skin

Cut out as much as possible processed foods high in trans fat and avoid sugar as much as possible. Too much sugar will trigger your body to produce a lot of insulin which in turn increases the androgen levels. When your androgen level is over stimulated, they will start over producing sebum which can clog pores.

Do not expect miracles overnight though. It will take time (at least a fortnight) for the improvements to show. Omega 3 is also great for heart health, joint pain and even weight loss, so you get many great side benefits from Omega 3 as well as improving your acne skin.

Related articles for can acne skin benefit from fish oil

• Choosing Acne Treatments (webmd.com)
• Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids Benefits (antiaginghealthnow.com)

What is the connection between

acne and pre-diabetes?

Glucose Monitoring Kit for Diabetics

If you have acne that does not seem to go away no matter what you do, you should have your blood sugar level checked as research shows there is a correlation between acne and pre-diabetes.

Sugar impairs the immune function and when our immune system is down, the skin and other parts of our body suffers.

Bacteria loves sugar and if your body is sugar intolerant, you will find that the bacteria will feed off the excess sugar in your system and create havoc, most noticeably on the skin.

Too much sugar in your system could mean acne and pre-diabetes. Additionally, you will have poor healing abilities as your immune system is compromised and your skin will have difficulties in healing.

The video below talks about Diabetes and how it affects your whole body. Not only your skin, but also your body, your organs and your moods.

So how to deal with acne and pre-diabetes?

Lower your intake of sugar and starch and go on a fasting diet to clear your system. Then eat an anti acne diet that is rich in zinc (shellfish, whole grains, sunflower seeds), vitamins A, C and E together with essential fatty acids such as flaxseed or primrose oil.

Gut health is also very important. Candida also feeds off excess sugar in the system and that in turn will also contribute to acne flare ups. You will often find that candida, acne and pre-diabetes are closely related. Again, avoid sugar and include yogurt into your daily diet.

Get a glucose meter or visit a doctor to have your blood sugar checked. The healthy range is under 110 mg (milligrams of glucose to one-tenth liter of blood) even after a meal. Between 110 and 130 and you could be glucose intolerant. If your readings are above 130 mg, then you should visit a doctor immediately as you could have diabetes.

Now that you know how acne and pre-diabetes is connected, take action today.

Related articles for acne and pre-diabetes:

• How to prevent diabeties – betes buster (slideshare.net)
• Diabetes: The Basics (heartdiseasediabetes.suite101.com)

Use Zinc For Acne Treatment

zinc for acne

The short answer is Yes, you can use zinc for acne.

So, why is it so important in the fight against acne breakouts and how can it help with acne?

Zinc is a mineral and is critical for immune cell production. It is important for our reproductive organs, to ensure healthy prostate glands,  in our fight against infections, to maintain a healthy immune system and more.

As it also regulates our oil glands’ activities, a lack of zinc could mean acne breakouts and blemishes.

On top of that, it is an important mineral for collagen production (for healthy skin) and a vital mineral for proper wound healing (for acne to minimize acne scarring).

It has the ability to boost our immune system and has anti-oxidant properties comparable to vitamins A, C and E.

Zinc for Acne – 7 signs you are lacking in this mineral:

1. You have white spots on your nails, and your nails are fragile and thin.
2. Hair loss.
3. You have lost your appetite, sense of smell and taste.
4. You catch colds and flu easily.
5. Impotence.
6. Your wounds take a long time to heal.
7. And of course, the dreaded acne.

For children, a lack of zinc could impair growth and make them more susceptible to infections.

One third of the world’s population consumes insufficient zinc to be healthy, and zinc deficiency is the fifth leading cause of disease. Poor soil preparation means that in many countries, at least half the crop harvested are produced from zinc deficient soil, which means that food produced from these crops are also lacking in zinc.

There are also other factors that contribute to zinc deficiency:

• Excessive sweating whether through exercise or hard labor.
• Diarrhea.
• Pneumonia
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes

Food that are rich in zinc for acne control and treatment includes:

Oysters, soya bean, egg yolk, seafood, meats such as chicken and lamb, mushrooms, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and whole grains.

Taking supplements:

The best way is to take a zinc supplement, but be careful not to exceed a dose of 100 milligrams a day. 15-50 milligrams a day is recommended to help with acne.

Note :

Zinc and iron (if you are also taking iron supplements) should be taken at different times of the day as they prevent proper absorption when taken together.

Zinc and copper level should be 10-1 for optimal balance.

Take zinc supplement with a good multivitamin

Learn more about acne vitamins and acne minerals here.

Related articles for zinc for acne :

• Deadly Deficiencies in the Average American Diet (lewrockwell.com)
• IZA Joins Forces with UNICEF to Reduce Zinc Deficiency in Children (eon.businesswire.com)
• Integrative medicine: Zinc’s role (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Toxin Free with

Acne Juice Fasting

Image by Matthieu A. via Flickr

Nothing like a good acne juice fasting detoxification program to get rid of toxins in your body and give your skin a chance to clear and heal. Fasting has been used for thousands of years to gain better health and to get rid of toxins in your body.

When you think that you could be harboring anything from 1-10 lbs or more of blocked waste in your intestines, festering and putrefying, giving off noxious gases and toxins, it pays to do an acne juice fasting course and  rid your body of this poison.

Acne juice fasting will give your immune system a chance to really work at problem areas without having to cope with daily added toxins. It is like giving the immune system a break from its daily combat to really zone in on dealing with big health issues.

After an acne juice fasting period,  you will see is a healthier digestive system, better looking clear skin and more energy.

You can create your own program and do the acne juice fasting from the comfort of your own home. Just make sure you do it when you have a few days of quiet time and do not have a hectic social schedule.

These are the three steps you will need to take:

Acne Juice Fasting Detoxification Step 1:

Preparing your body – Don’t shock your body by going from junk food junkie one day to water only the next. Your body needs to be notified of this impending acne juice fasting cleanse and to prepare itself for best results.

Two days before the fast eats fresh fruits and vegetables only. Keep them uncooked if you can or lightly steamed if you need to. No store bought juices or canned stuff. Just fresh fruits and vegetables – if you can get organic, so much the better.

Cut out on caffeine, sugar, salt and alcohol. Yes, you will need to give up your caffeine fix in the mornings but you can drink caffeine free herbal teas. Great acne teas include milk thistle, dandelion, peppermint, chamomile and burdock. Pick your favorites and and drink it a few times a day.

Then you will need to go into some serious water drinking : First thing in the morning, drink 500-750ml of room temperature or warm water with a squeeze of lemon or some 100% pure aloe vera juice. Build it up to one litre if you can. Drink it all in one go without stopping whilst standing up.  This will really kick start the cleansing process of your digestive system. Drink 6-8 250ml glasses of water after that during the day.

Acne Juice Fasting Detoxification Step 2:

After two days, you are going into the actual acne juice fasting period. Why juice and not water only? Well, a water only fast will release the toxins in your body too quickly and you will experience some unpleasant side effects such as migraines, irritability, tiredness and even skin eruptions. Now you may experience some of these symptoms anyway, but a water only fast will make those symptoms worse. Plus your body still needs nutrients and vitamins.

For this acne juice fasting program, you can do it anywhere from one to five days. Some people do it for up to ten days for even better results but if this is your first time, stick to one to three days. Caution : If you are ill or suffering from a disease like diabetes, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding, do not go on an acne juice fasting program. For fasts of over three days, you should consult your doctor for supervision.

Some acne juice fasting recipes:

Fruit juices will help cleanse and nourish your body.

Great fruits to use include : apples, watermelon, lemon, pear, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, cranberries.

Vegetable juice will restore your immune system, remove acid waste and remove excess body fat.

Great vegetables include : cabbage, carrot, beet, watercress, cucumber, celery, parsley, kale, wheat grass, onions.

For added power : put in a small clove of garlic or a spoonful of powdered greens such as spirulina.

Fruit and vegetable juices should not be mixed together with the exception of apple. Some fruits and vegetables are best on their own such as watermelon (one of the best acne juices), but here are a few acne juice fasting recipes:

Acne Juice Recipe 1:

3 carrots (or 2 pears) + 1 apple + one slice of fresh ginger

Acne Juice Recipe 2:

1 apple + 1/2 cup berries (blueberries, strawberries) +one bunch of grapes + one kiwi

Acne Juice Recipe 3:

3 carrots + a bunch of watercress + one small clove of peeled garlic + few sprigs of parsley

Acne Juice Recipe 4:

1/2 a small head of cabbage + 2 carrots + small clove of peeled garlic + a bunch of wheat grass + 1/4 cup of water

(always drink cabbage juice immediately)

Acne Juice Recipe 5:

1 cucumber + 2 stalks celery + 2 carrots + a bunch of spinach + a few sprigs of parsley 

Acne Juice Fasting Detoxification Step 3:

Congratulations!  you have completed the acne juice fasting program. You have lost a few pounds and your skin is looking much fresher, clearer and healthier - don’t ruin it all now by rushing off to the nearest fast food outlet and stuffing yourself. In fact, you should come off the fast much the same as when you prepared yourself for it, by eating fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also start introducing small amount of plainly cooked foods.

The main thing is to eat small amounts frequently so that your digestive system can have time to adjust, and not to get overloaded again too soon with fats, sugar and salt. Consider taking some vitamin supplements.

The acne juice fasting detoxification process can be done once a month for one to three days, or two to four times a year of you do it longer. It is up to you but the main thing is to keep your body healthy and as toxin free as possible, so that your skin will have a chance to glow.

For more information about natural detox, get this :  Detoxing Your Skin Naturally – How To Clear Your Skin With Acne Juice Fasting Detoxification

Related articles for acne juice fasting detoxification:

• Mark Hyman, MD: Is There Toxic Waste In Your Body? (huffingtonpost.com)
• Regular Elimination Promotes Optimum Health! (findmeacure.com)

Chinese Herbs for Acne Relief

Balancing your Inner Body is the Key

Chinese Herbal Drinks

Traditional Chinese herbs and Chinese medicine goes back some 4,000 years and is still widely practiced today, where a wide variety of plants and herbs are used for all sorts of ailments big and small.

Chinese herbs for acne relief is more a long term holistic solution for those who want a more natural way to deal with acne and acne scars.

Chinese herbs and medicine is mainly about balance. The yin (calming cool side of the body), and the yang (stimulated hot side of the body) needs to be balanced to achieve good health. An imbalance could lead to all sorts of illnesses.

So ingrained is Chinese medicine in the Chinese way of life that shops that sell Chinese herbs will also have a small counter that sells a variety of herbal teas to treat common ailments such as colds and indigestion, like the one in the picture. (The most popular during summer time would be the ‘get rid of heat’ tea or the ‘cooling’ tea).

So what can Chinese herbs do for acne relief?

First of all, acne comes from too much ‘heat’ in the body – meaning the scales are tipping to the yang side causing an imbalance. “Heat” can be an overactive lifestyle, too much stimulation mentally (work) or physically (late nights).

Indigestion, pollution, spicy foods, physical exertion and hot weather will all contribute to an over active yang. The excessive toxic substances produced by this ‘heat’ goes into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and swelling.

So if you are drinking lots of coffee, stressed out with work, smoking and staying up late partying – your skin is going to suffer.

However, going totally the yin way is not the solution either.

Yin is cool, dark, and damp which translate to water retention, bloating and sluggishness. If you have an inability to sweat, live in a damp environment, have low blood pressure and eat irregularly, there is a possibility of too much yin.

The idea is to have a balance of the two sides. Where yang is day, heat, summer and male; yang is night, cold, winter and female. One cannot survive without the other. The degeneration of one will mean an eventual deterioration of the other. To be healthy – the balance of the two must be maintained.

So we come back to Chinese herbs and acne relief.

Here is a list of foods to eat if you have too much yang (which is normally the case for acne sufferers):

Banana, Barley Beer, Cucumber, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Melon (especially Watermelon), Mangoes, Mushrooms, Pears, Tangerines, Sunflower seeds, Tofu, Green tea, Watercress and Wheatgerms.

Neutral foods (a good balance of yin and yang) would include:

Almond, Blueberries, Bean sprouts, Carrots, Papaya, Cauliflower, Honey, Corn, Olive oil, Potatoes, Sardines, Rice, Strawberries and Yogurt.

If you have too much yin, these are the foods you should eat more of to stimulate your body:

Coffee, Garlic, Cherries, Cinnamon, Chicken, Lamb, Ham, Ginger, Coconut, Walnut, Egg yokes, Onions and Black tea.

Chinese herbs for acne would include:

• Honeysuckle – can be taken as an infusion.
• Spica Prunellae (Asian Selfheal) – in many Chinese supermarkets and stores, they are sold much like soda pop.
• Barbes Skullcap – again sold as drinks in Chinese stores.
• Peppermint – as an infusion.
• Chrysanthemum – as an infusion.
• Dicliptera – Boiled and drunk with some honey.
• Purslane – Boiled and drunk with honey.
• Dahurian angelica – can be boiled together with Chrysanthemum as a drink.
• Stellaria root – make a broth with some pork.

Keep in mind that there is no set ‘formula’ for a cure, whatever it may be, with Chinese herbs and medicine. There are some generic formulas, but to get targeted results, it all depends on the health and requirements of each individual.

Whereas one person may have acne, insomnia and a dry tongue; another could have acne, constipation and hair loss. Each prescription and Chinese herbs formula is catered to each individual’s needs and as such, visiting a qualified Chinese medical practitioner is advisable.

If you have adult acne, it could be connected with pre-diabetes.

If you have adult acne and have fat around the middle ie: a large waist line or a big tummy, it could mean a high insulin level – a symptom of pre-diabetes.

If you are a woman and experience irregular periods, and you have more facial hair than usual and you also have fat deposit around your waist, get tested for pre-diabetes. It is also advisable to go and see your gynecologist and have your ovaries checked.

If you have a family history of Diabetes and you suffer from adult acne, you could be pre-diabetic.

Sounds outrageous?

No.

When you eat a diet of high sugars or fast acting sugars such as starch (bread, pasta, potatoes), sugary cakes and biscuits, sugary drinks including fruit juices, your insulin level will rise to try and deal with this surge in blood sugar. The surge in insulin will act directly with the fat cells in your stomach and store fat in the stomach’s walls.

That’s why having too much fat around your middle could be a precursor to diabetes -  but as we know, too much sugar or salt in the diet could lead to acne.

So what should you do?

1) Check with your doctor – Get your blood sugar (Hba1c) tested and see if that is really the case. To learn more about pre-diabetes and diabetes prevention, read this report.

2) Change your diet significantly – Avoid sugary foods such as cakes, juice, sodas, candy. Ease off too much starch: no more subway sandwiches, take off the bun on a hamburger, avoid pasta dishes, avoid potatoes, fries, pizzas and big rice dishes. Eat whole grain, lots of green leafy vegetables, lean protein and drinks lots of water. Fruit in moderation (berries such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are best).

3) Do moderate exercise everyday. Even if it is just walking around the block for thirty minutes – just do it. Move around and be active after a meal, even if it just cleaning the dishes and loading the dishwasher or playing with your dog. (It will love you for it!)

Normally a diet change and a consistent exercise plan will keep diabetes at bay if you are pre-diabetic. If you are over weight, go on a healthy diet to lose weight. Not only will you find your body fitter and healthier, your skin will clear up too and you may find that adult acne will no longer be an issue.

Note : This is for information purposes only and is not medical advise – consult your doctor first. The author is not a doctor and is not responsible for your actions.

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Dr. Bernstein is probably one of the greatest diabetes pioneers. I know because he treated my brother. Here is a video where he debates with Dr. Wolpert on glucose levels. He has other videos on Youtube so go check them out if you want to learn more about Diabetes.

Debate about a1c on dLife

Acne Control

Diet for Beautiful Skin

What you put into your body is just as important as what you put on your skin.

Thousands of dollars spent on the most expensive creams and lotions will do nothing for your blemished skin, if you do not take care of your insides as well.

Here are ten nutrition tips to acne control and blemish free skin:

1. Some doctors refer to the skin as the “third kidney” for its ability to get rid of toxins. Eating a high fibre diet to keep your colon clean is crucial to get rid of your body’s toxins the correct way, before the toxins finds it way out through your skin.
2. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Start each day by drinking at least two glasses of water in one go to flush out your system and kick start your body’s metabolism. Drink every two hours afterwards.
3. Eat lots of fruit for its water content and nutritional value. Fruits such as pineapples and strawberries have high quantities of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which can be put on the skin to help exfoliate and remove dead skin cells too.
4. Good natural raw foods will speed up healing and help clear the skin faster. Raw carrots for vitamin A, raw cherry tomatoes for vitamin C and lycopene and nuts such as cashews and almonds are all great raw foods. Make sure the raw food you eat is fresh and of high quality.
5. A diet low in zinc may contribute to acne flare ups. Zinc is an antibacterial agent and is responsible for wound healing, cell division, growth and repair. Eating a zinc rich diet such as shellfish, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, eggs and beans will reduce inflammation and heal lesions.
6. Be sure your diet also include vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A has long been touted as the “skin’s vitamin”, and synthetic derivatives from it are made into Retin-A and Accutane, products widely used for treating acne. (note: Do not exceed recommended doses of vitamin A as it can be toxic). Vitamin C is vital for the formation of collagen, a substance responsible for growth of new cells and tissues. It also reduces inflammation, healing scar tissues. Vitamin E is a potent anti-oxidant, protecting the body from cellular damage (scar prevention) and an essential component against aging of the skin.
7. Essential fatty acids such as evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil supplies essential gamma-linolenic acid to the skin, maintaining its suppleness and smoothness. It also helps to dissolve fatty deposits that tend to block pores and aids in the healing process. Fatty fish is an excellent source of Omega 3, and can help calm skin inflammation. Read more here….
8. Avoid all forms of sugar. Researchers have found that acne sufferers are more likely to suffer serious imbalances in their skin tissues’ glucose tolerance, and eating a diet high in sugar will only aggravate the breakouts.
9. Cut down on dairy products as much as possible. Fat contents in full fat dairy products could aggravate acne especially in those who are intolerant. If you are not sure whether this applies to you, cut out dairy products for a month and see if your skin’s condition improves. If you are not allergic, make sure you eat low fat organic yogurt to maintain a healthy intestine.
10. Banish all processed foods from your diet. That means fast and convenience foods such as burgers, chips and all things fried. Process foods are also high in iodine (salt), and unhealthy fats which have been shown to trigger skin eruptions. Avoid salty foods and adding extra salt to your meals.

It pays to take a good quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement for women and a good quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement for men, to make sure your body is not deficient in the essential components to fight unsightly eruptions and scars.

Acne control must be tackled from the outside as well as the inside of your body.