Can a Special Diet for Acne Clear Your Skin?

Most dermatologists will tell you there is no diet for acne that will improve your condition.

Why?

Some say it is driven by greed - doctors can't make any money if they don't recommend long term treatment plans that keep you coming back.

Others blame the pharmaceutical companies, who pressure doctors into prescribing drugs to cure acne.

Still others cite a lack of training in med school on nutrition and its effect on the skin.

Whatever the reason, the tide may be starting to turn on this conventional - and outdated - thinking. Indeed, the primary studies used to reject the link between nutrition and acne were done more than 3 decades ago. Recently, new studies have turned up evidence that directly link diet to the health of your skin.

Click here to find out more about an effective acne diet developed by a nutritionist and former acne sufferer. 

A healthy diet for fighting acne

The most significant of these studies was conducted in Australia by Dr. Neil Mann. The study showed that a change in diet could significantly reduce acne in a matter of weeks. The change centered around eating lean protein along with foods that fall low on the Glycemic Index.

So what does an effective diet for acne treatment look like? The lists below are a good place to start. They contain a sampling of foods to avoid and foods to eat.

Foods to avoid

• Foods with refined sugars, like candies, cakes, pies, and sugary cereals
• Anything that contains fructose (read your labels carefully)
• Foods with refined carbohydrates, like white bread and white rice
• Potatoes
• Watermelon
• Non-diet sodas
• Vegetable oil

Foods to eat

• Lean protein (red meat, pork, tuna in water, salmon, boneless/skinless poultry)
• Breads and cereals made with whole grains (pumpernickel, rye, barley, spaghetti, fettucini)
• Fresh fruits, like apples, bananas, grapes, pears
• Vegetables, like cucumbers, spinach, asparagus, broccoli
• Nuts (walnuts, pecans, peanuts)
• Beans and legumes (kidney, black, navy)
• Eggs
• Water, unsweetened apple or orange juice, cranberry juice

Low glycemic foods are those that fall below '55' on the index. Generally, the more you minimize processed foods, the easier it will be to stay within the guidelines.

It is also possible to lower the glycemic index of a food by combining it with something else. For example, adding vinegar or lemon can lower the glycemic index.

Is good nutrition enough?

Will a diet for acne alone cure your condition? Maybe… maybe not. But most people see a significant improvement when they gravitate away from the typical "western" diet and adopt eating habits that include more fruits and vegetables.

So give a diet for acne a shot. You could end up looking better and feeling better.

Looking for more?

A healthy diet alone may not be enough to cure your acne for good.

Find out how to attack all the factors that contribute to your skin condition.

Acne No More is a comprehensive "kit" that will show everything you need to do to have the healthy, vibrant skin you deserve.