In 2009, clinical studies proved that cow’s milk, sugar and a high glycemic diet (bread, cereal, flour products, pasta, rice, and sugar) cause acne. When consumed, they increase insulin and androgens – and both stimulate acne.
Cow’s milk is naturally filled with hormones (even organic AND non-organic raw milk or pasteurized milk), which trigger acne. Milk also contains iodine, which sets off acne. The lactose in milk also causes insulin levels to rise, causing acne.
Similarly, consuming too much sugar creates a rise in insulin levels – and that results in more acne. In essence, simple carbohydrates are sugars, which is why carbs cause acne, too.
You are what you eat
Instead of milk or soda pop, drink lots of water. Water will help hydrate and help cells to grow and eliminate waste.
As for food, try a diet low in simple carbohydrates and sugars. (If you have a sweet tooth and need something sweet every once in a while, stick to dark chocolate.) Eliminate all foods containing high fructose corn syrup and sugar – and eliminate processed foods. Rarely consume potatoes, corn, rice, or pasta.
If acne still is problematic, go another step and try to limit beans, grains, and fruits. Also try to limit all dairy, eggs and gluten.
In case you’re wondering what foods are left, think about a diet that’s high in protein and vegetables. Aim for five to nine servings of vegetables each day. Certain foods are known to help acne. Add nuts, berries, ginger, turmeric, and dark green, leafy vegetables to your diet.
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Just want to clarify: Acne is not a symptom of an allergic reaction to food. Perhaps a food intolerance of sensitivity could cause ance, but someone with a true food allergy would not experience acne from ingesting their allergen. An allergic reaction to a food allergen is an acute response of the immune system (symptoms appear suddenly and progress rapidly, and can be life-threatening). A reaction does sometimes affect skin, but only in terms of hives.
Also, if you are trying to eliminate milk, note that it hides in EVERYTHING (things you wouldn’t suspect, like sausage, crackers, bread, cereal, chips, candy, broth, etc.), so be sure to read every label (even dark chocolate can have dairy!). And check the inactive ingredients of your medication–lactose is a common filler/binder in pills (such as all birth control).
I find it so hard to get just ONE serving of vegetables into my diet! I need to work on this. :)