Posts Tagged ‘facial acne’
Better control of acne with low Glycaemic Food.
There is a very strong link between acne and diet. The prevalence of acne, a distressing skin condition, is very high. On average it is as high as 79 to 85% in adolescents and 40 to 54% in people aged 25 and older. 12% of women and 3% men in their middle age have acne.
The true cause of acne is unknown. The fact that there is a lower incidence of acne in non-Western countries raises the possibility of a link between acne and low carbohydrate intake. Insulinaemia (raised Insulin level) occur following a high carbohydrate intake. High Insulin level is an important part of acne in general because it affects androgenic hormones and growth factor.
A study conducted by Dr. Robin. N. Smith and colleagues used randomised low glycemic load diet and a control diet that was rich in carbohydrates. The low glycemic load diet had 45% energy from low glycemic Index carbohydrate and 25% from protein. The study included 45 male adults between 15 and 24. The study was carried out at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. This randomised controlled trial was the first to examine what effects glycaemic load had on acne. In the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition the published results showed that there was significant reduction of acne in the low glycemic diet group as compared to the group on carbohydrate rich food. So for acne, low Glycemic food is the Good Health Option.
Dr. Smith and his colleagues, in a press release, said, “Although we could not isolate the effect of the low glycemic load diet from that of weight loss, the findings support the hypothesis of a relationship between acne and high insulin levels.”
Food with low glycemic Index are complex carbohydrate rich. Consequently, they release glucose very slowly into the blood steam. If sugar is released slowly into the blood, the demand on Insulin is less. Insulin controls circulating blood sugar and affects growth and sex hormones.
To assess the Glycemic Index of foods, the blood sugar level is monitored after that food is eaten.
Low Glycemic Index (LGI): 55 and lower.
Medium Glycemic Index (MGI): 56 to 69.
High Glycemic Index (HGI): 70 +
HGI (High Glycemic Index) Foods. Pretzels 83 Rice Cakes 87 Glutinous Rice 86 Short Grain White Rice 83 Tapioca 70 Scones 92 Fresh Mashed Potatoes 73 French Fries 75 Donuts 76 Instant Mashed Potatoes 80 Watermelon 80 Dates 103 Instant White Rice 87
So to keep those zits away and maintain healthy skin, eat more cereals and beans and reject white bread, French fries and burgers.
For good health, low stress and clear skin maintain a low glycemic diet.