Science Says Chocolate Causes Acne, Cockblocks Our Love Affair With Truffles

Chocolate-lovers beware: a new study from the Netherlands suggests the delicious sweetie may aggravate acne. Past research also suggests that increased insulin can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to breakouts, while low-glycemic diets stop sugar spikes connected to acne, 

Seems like every time we turn around, another scientist in a lab coat is wagging a finger in our face and telling us things we don’t want to hear. Soda gives us cavities. Alcohol gives us hangovers. And now that a new study from the Netherlands suggests that chocolate causes acne, we’re close to giving up and sticking our hungover, toothless, pimple-covered heads in a big fat sack of denial until the medical profession decides that we’re allowed to enjoy our favorite things again.

 

Sadly, denial won’t silence the Dutch scientists who claim that their study shows a definite link between chocolate consumption and the acne that plagues 80% of American teenagers. To investigate chocolate as a potential cause of acne, the researchers took blood from healthy adults before and after they ate 1.7 ounces of chocolate containing 30 ounces of cocoa. Then they exposed the blood samples to Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria known to cause acne, and to Staphylococcus aureus, which aggravates acne.

 

In the blood samples taken post-chocolate consumption, the blood cells exposed to Propionibacterium acnes produced more interleukin-1b, a sign of immune system inflammation and a signal that chocolate is linked to the inflammatory response associated with acne. The cells exposed to Staphylococcus aureus produced more interleukin 1O, which is believed to lower the body’s defenses against microorganisms and thus could allow bacteria to infect and worsen pimples.

 

This research isn’t conclusive however, which is good news for those of us who like clear skin and chocolate-covered everything. For one, the Dutch scientists used a teeny tiny sample size (only seven people). For another, there are lots of things present in chocolate besides cocoa (like fat and sugar) that could have caused the blood cell reaction. And finally, while we might not have a perfect pimple cure, science has progressed enough to know that any single person’s susceptibility to acne has more to do with their genetics, hormones, and medications than their favorite junk food. Plus, even if chocolate is responsible for acne, it’s also responsible for this.

Source: http://foodbeast.com/content/2013/05/01/science-says-chocolate-causes-acne-cockblocks-our-love-affair-with-truffles/#.UYRaYqJkOSo

No Need To Stress Over Acne

We thought after high school or college life, acne will just fade away. Now that you are in twenties you still have acne—on your face, back, chest and other parts of your body--bothering since teenage years. Having acne can be beyond your thirties, fourties and even fifties. Don’t lose hope there are many acne treatments to cure and stop acne build-up. If you need help, you can do some research or ask a dermatologist for other options.

The most common causes of acne include the overproduction of oil, dead skin irritating hair follicles and accumulation of bacteria. The buildup of oil and dead skin within the hair follicles creates a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

Some myths about acne perpetuate, such as the notion that chocolate and greasy foods lead to acne. While it’s definitely better to not gorge on pepperoni pizza and Hershey bars, you can rest assured that indulging isn’t going to result in eruptions on your face the next day.

There is some scientific correlation between diet and acne. According to the Mayo Clinic, dairy products and carbohydrate-rich food can lead to the formation of acne.

Another myth in which many of us seek refuge is that acne is caused by stress. We cling to the hope that when life slows down and things are no longer hectic, our skin will calm down too. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely the case. Lisa Garner, a clinical professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center says that stress reduction won’t eliminate acne

According to a 2003 Stanford University study, college students had an increase in acne during exam periods because most acne is triggered by hormone production — in particular, androgens — which lead to the enlargement of sebaceous glands and cause increased oil production. While stress can cause fluctuations in hormone production, exacerbating acne by causing the binding of stress hormones to the stress receptors on sebum-producing cells, it’s not the actual cause of the acne.

Once acne begins to flourish, it’s tempting to scrub at it like there’s no tomorrow, but that’s not helping matters at all. In fact, scrubbing at acne can irritate it further. Instead, using tried and tested products, in addition to gently cleansing your face, can help keep acne at bay. Over-the-counter products such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinoids have been proven to help reduce the occurrence of acne. If over-the-counter products don’t cut it, a meeting with your dermatologist to discuss more stringent options, such as Accutane, may be in order.

Source: http://thedailycougar.com/2013/04/23/healthy-advice-no-need-to-stress-over-acne

Chocolate Could Cause Acne

I eat chocolate and you eat chocolate. So, we all eat chocolate. Who doesn't love chocolate? No one, of course! Some people I know, they cannot even live without intake of chocolate. They really crave for it because of its sweet and luscious taste. Sadly, What they do not is chocolate may be a cause of acne. It can lead to breakouts.

This news isn’t so sweet for your skin: Eating chocolate may trigger acne, finds a new study from the Netherlands. 

Researchers took two blood samples from participants before and after they ate chocolate, and exposed both samples to bacteria associated with acne. People’s blood cells showed indicators of increased inflammation in their immune systems after chocolate consumption. 

While the link is hardly conclusive—the study was very small—it’s not a bad idea to swap sugary candy and empty carbs for foods that are low on the glycemic index, says dermatologist Tara Kaufmann, M.D., of SUNY Stony Brook. Those include high-fiber, unprocessed foods like whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and lean proteins. 

Past research suggests that increased insulin can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to breakouts, while low-glycemic diets stop sugar spikes connected to acne, Dr. Kaufmann says.

 Source: http://news.menshealth.com/this-food-could-cause-acne/2013/04/26/

Long-term Research Links Dairy and High-Sugar Foods to Acne

Experts have been debating that diet and acne have links with each other. As we know, diet has an effect to person’s complexion. Thus, diet might be one of the effective skin treatments that everyone prefers to apply. Many believe that eating healthy and nutritious food will bring cure to acne. And, some have improved skin conditions. On the other hand, research has shown that eating food with a high glycaemic index and drinking milk can cause acne.

Millions of teenagers - and increasingly adults - are affected by the often painful skin condition which causes the skin to develop unsightly spots on the face, neck, chest and back. Could cutting out milk be the cure for those suffering with acne?

Acne is caused by a combination of the skin producing too much sebum and a build-up of dead skin cells which clog the pores and leads to a localized infection or spot. It is thought that excess sebum production is caused by hormonal fluctuations, which explains why around 80% of teenagers experience bouts of acne throughout adolescence. While there is no danger from the spots themselves, severe acne can scar as well as lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.

Since the late 19th century, research has linked diet to acne, with chocolate, sugar and fat singled out as the main culprits. But studies carried out from the 1960s onwards have disassociated diet from the development of the condition.

Eating high GI foods - foods that are absorbed into the bloodstream quickly - is thought to have a direct effect on the severity of acne because of the hormonal fluctuations that are triggered. High GI foods cause a spike in hormone levels including insulin which is thought to instigate sebum production. A 2007 Australian study showed that young males who were put on a strict low GI diet noticed a significant improvement in the severity of their acne.

Choosing low GI foods

• Only carbohydrates have a GI rating.

• Because low GI foods take longer for the body to break down they help you feel fuller for longer too.

• High GI foods include sugary fizzy drinks, cakes, pastries, chocolate, white bread and potatoes.

• Low GI foods include fruit and vegetables, wholegrain options such as brown pasta, basmati rice, couscous and pulses.

• Not overcooking your pasta and vegetables helps lower the GI.

The authors of the latest overview - published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - say that dermatologists and dieticians should work together to design and conduct quality research to help the millions of acne sufferers.

Source: http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/physiology/Long-term-Research-Links-Dairy-and-High-Sugar-Foods-to-Acne-200252611.html?page=1

New Study Links Acne with Diet Reports Acne Scar Cream Reviews

I wonder if there is really a strong connection between one’s diet and acne risk. A Lot of intriguing study and acne treatments have already been done. For instance, milk consumption is presumably to increase the risk of obtaining acne. On the other hand, consumption of fish has appeared to have protective quality on acne. We as acne sufferers would like to find out the basis of such discoveries. But, I think there is nothing wrong with following some of their findings. Just be mindful which one to follow!

A diet-acne link has been something of an endless debate for years among both dermatologists and dieticians, with the public looking on with concerned gazes to find out just what does really affect their potential for acne. The conventional wisdom is that greasy foods and chocolates exacerbate acne potential, but that notion was later dispelled. Now, a recent study published implicates high-glycemic-index foods such as milk is a culprit of higher potentials.

The Italian study done by Dr. Eichenfield spotlighted 205 consecutive patients in the 10- to 24-year age range that were newly diagnosed with moderate to severe acne. The control group consisted over over 350 patients that had no or mild acne, each of which consulted a dermatologist or skin specialist for concern regarding acne. Investigators have inquired regarding family history, diet, habits, and menstrual history (where applicable).

Family history and acne emerged as strong correlatives. The history of acne in the first-degree relatives was associated with a 3.4-fold risk increase for moderate or severe acne. The drinking of milk raised possibilities by 1.8-fold if consumed more than three times per week. The risk was more pronounced in skim-milk drinkers than in whole-milk drinkers, with overall consumption being held at three servings per week minimum, and the total increased by 2.2-time in risk factor.

In contrast, those who regularly consumed fish were seen to have a 32% decrease in the likelihood of moderate to severe acne. Lowered BMI also had a protective effect, while menstrual factors and smoking factors showed little relation (if any) within the reports by Dr. Eichenfield, who is a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. 

"How do I take this new information and use it in the clinic? The answer is, I don’t, because I really don’t know what the impact will be of dietary changes in my actual care of individuals with acne who come to me. But this whole issue of diet and acne is a really fascinating one," the pediatric dermatologist commented.

Source: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-study-links-acne-with-diet-reports-acne-scar-cream-reviews-234326.htm