Keeping with the theme of starting back to school and the dreaded teen acne we are discussing food and diet in general.

Helping teens with acne has become a billion dollar industry. While there are many good products out there as well as easy, painless laser treatments like I perform many of the effects can be lessen by being aware of how our bodies, namely our faces respond to certain foods.

I remember as a kid how much I didn’t believe that diet had anything to do with my acne problem. Then again I also didn’t think my acne would ever go away!
Fortunately it did but it could have been a lot easier had I listened to m dear ole moms advice.

Recent studies suggest that carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, which cause glucose and insulin levels to spike, may influence the development and severity of acne. Of course the opposite is true. A diet high in protein and carbohydrates with a low glycemic index seemed to improve acne breakouts.

So what does all this medical jargon mean for you or your kiddios? Well it doesnt mean that any one food is causing acne. However, a healthy diet will certainly improve your overall health. Instead of highly processed foods, try incorporating more whole grains (such as whole wheat bread, wheat pastas, brown rice, oatmeal, etc.) into your diet, as well as plenty vegetables, fruit, and lean protein. As always you want to limit the amount of soda, sugary snacks, and other “junk foods” whenever possible. You have nothing to lose, and a healthy body to gain. And while the research is still ongoing I can strongly say possibly clearer skin, too.

While this study did not link any one food to acne breakouts, it does strongly suggests that a nutritious diet can help the skin stay healthy too. More research needs to be done to prove a definitive link between diet and acne development. However after years of working with teens and their skin as well as their allergies I can tell you there is a link. Please don’t ignore this.

As your body is going through so many changes especially hormonal changes during your teen years there is no reason to multiply the effects on your skin with a bad diet.

If a particular food seems to cause more breakouts for you, avoid eating it.

For further research check out these great sites:
http://www.diet.com/g/acne-diet
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2004009923_webdietacne13.html