Clear Up Your Complexion with the Paleo Diet Acne Remedy

Zits and especially acne can make a person feel extremely self conscious. So what causes this condition and what can be done about it? Acne results when the pores found on the surface of the skin become clogged. Each pore contains a follicle which includes an oil gland and a hair. Oil, released by the gland, works to remove the old skin cells and keeps your skin nice and soft. However, when glands produce an overabundance of oil, pores become clogged causing dirt, bacteria, and cells to build up, resulting in a zit or pimple.

Can Diet Contribute to Acne?

Some researchers, including paleo diet expert Dr. Loren Cordain, suggest that the Western diet contributes to acne through a process that starts with constantly elevated insulin levels. Eating foods that are heavily processed, starchy, and sugary foods as well as pastas and bread elevate insulin levels. These elevated insulin levels lead to hormonal changes throughout the body that lead to production of excess sebum (oily substance that covers your skin), which can cause acne.

How Does the Paleo Diet Work for Acne?

There has been some speculation as to whether diet plays much of a role in the development of acne. Some diets have proven to be effective during the initial stages, but once the body adapts, the condition returns. A truly effective anti-acne diet should be lasting in its results.

The paleo diet encourages followers to get back to their roots as hunters and gatherers-eating the natural foods that our ancestors hunted, fished, and gathered since the beginning of time. This would include a variety of vegetables, seasonal fruits, grass-fed meats, free range chicken, and nuts. The paleo diet discourages people from eating any processed foods, breads, pasta, cereals, sweets, sodas, and beer.
With the paleo diet, you completely avoid eating foods that cause insulin levels to spike, which in turn, decreases the amount of sebum that your body manufactures, decreasing acne.

Okay So Where’s the Proof?

As explained in his book, “The Dietary Cure for Acne,” paleo diet expert, Dr. Loren Cordain, conducted a study on two modern day tribal societies for occurrences of acne. Examining the skin of 1200 Kitavan Islanders of Papua New Guinea, including 300 between the ages of 15-25 years, and 115 members of the Ache tribe of Paraguay, he did not find a single incidence of acne. Eskimos were also totally absent of acne while consuming their traditional diet of Paleo type foods, but when introduced to the Western diet, they experienced a break out in pimples.

Another study was completed by Australia’s RMIT University and Royal Melbourne Hospital Department of Dermatology. They discovered a “solid link” between diet and the development of acne. More than two years were spent studying metabolic changes in insulin and glucose levels due to diet and the changes that resulted with the skin. Those who conducted the study believe that carbs with a high glycemic index cause glucose and insulin to spike, which may have some bearing on the development of acne and its level of severity. On the contrary, consuming a diet high in protein and carbs that have a low glycemic index, caused acne breakouts to improve.

Summary

Pimples are a complete nuisance and an absolute confidence crusher. There is mixed opinion out there on the role that diet plays in contributing to acne. However, research done by Dr. Loren Cordain suggests that by eating paleo, acne could be a thing of the past, or at least significantly improve. By cutting out all the processed and sugary foods, as well breads, cereals, pasta and alcohol, you can avoid the elevated insulin levels that lead to an overproduction of sebum, which contributes to acne.

The paleo diet may be just what you need to get back your self confidence and improve the condition of your skin.

Acne. (Last reviewed: November 22, 2011) Retrieved on March 18, 2012 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001876/

Kern, Daniel W. Acne Myths Explained. Retrieved on March 18, 2012 from http://www.acne.org/myths.html

Palmer, Angela. (December 19, 2008). Your Diet and Acne. Retrieved on March 18, 2012 from http://acne.about.com/od/acnetriggers/a/dietacnestudy.htm

Pradas, Jevan. (January 11, 2011). Paleo Acne Diet. Retrieved on March 18, 2012 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/363328-paleo-acne-diet/

About Holly

"Any change requires an initial period of discomfort until the body adjusts to the new demand." - Author unknown