"Patients are deluded into thinking that their health can somehow be mysteriously harmed by something in their diet."
This is a quote from an article published in 1971 in American Family Physician.
That's not all.
The major textbook of dermatology for acne published in 1975 claimed that parents and doctors used the threat of depriving teens of "tempting delights" like candy and junk food only as a way to "keep these imminent sinners in check," not because diet had any connection to acne.
In fact, most of us tend to believe that pimples are for kids!
Not true.
The average age of acne patients has now increased from 20 to 26 years old.
Millions of adults are experiencing acne for the first time.
And acne rates are rising -- contradicting the belief that this condition is caused by genes.
Eight million people see the dermatologist every year for acne and millions more rely on infomercial products hawked by celebrities or over-the-counter products that total $100 million in sales every year.
And healthcare costs for prescription acne treatment exceed $1 billion a year.
Clearly, this problem, like so many chronic diseases in the 21st century, is increasing.
Why?
Let me tell you about a book that I just finished reading.
It's called The Clear Skin Diet. It's written by renowned dermatologist Val Trelor, MD and Alan Logan, ND, a naturopath.
This book gives us real answers to why pimples are popping up all over!
For the first time, this book links many of the imbalances in the underlying keys to health to the real causes of acne -- including your nutritional status, stress, toxicity, inflammation, and hormonal and gut imbalances.
If you've been reading my blogs, you know by now what I'm going to say next.
No matter what condition, disease, or health problem you face, the root causes can be traced back to the same underlying factors, because the body is one whole integrated system.
This includes your skin.
The key to healthy skin isn't just dealing with the symptoms -- like lathering on potions and lotions, popping and pricking pimples, or taking antibiotics or strong liver-damaging medication.
There's a better way.
Good Skin Comes from the Inside Out, Not the Outside In!
Before I explain these connections in more detail, and what you can do about it, I want to tell you my own experience with acne.
I never had it.
That is, until I got sick with chronic fatigue syndrome.
This is a disease of toxicity, gut damage, inflammation, hormonal imbalances and stress, among other things.
I have told the story of my illness and recovery many times, but I don't usually talk about the skin problems I had.
The trigger that tipped me over the edge -- on a load of mercury and stress -- was a severe intestinal infection.
Right away, my skin changed.
My skin color turned gray and I developed dark circles under my eyes.
I started getting pimples all over my face (a new adventure for me at age 36), and strange rashes around my eyes whenever I ate certain foods.
I even developed itchy red patches on different parts of my body.
The skin symptoms completely correlated with a worsening of my gut symptoms and the irritable bowel syndrome that I had developed.
So what did I do?
Well, I didn't need creams, gels, or lotions such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoid acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid peels, or topical antibiotics (all of which might have helped symptoms a little bit).
I certainly didn't need oral antibiotics (which can cause long-term gut complications, immune problems, and yeast overgrowth), or Accutane (which can cause liver damage and increase the risk of depression and suicide), or oral contraceptives (which I would have been offered had I been a woman).
These are the tools of modern dermatology -- but they overlook the role of overall health in the health of your skin.
I didn't need any of these things.
Instead, what I needed was to heal my leaky gut, correct my food allergies and nutritional deficiencies, detoxify from mercury, reduce inflammation, and rebalance my stress hormones.
That's just what I did.
And my pimples vanished, my eyes cleared up, and my rashes went away (along with my chronic diarrhea, disabling fatigue, brain fog, mouth sores, muscle pain, and more).
A miracle? Hardly!
I have seen this happen in so many of my patients.
Beauty and vibrant, clear, healthy skin come from the inside out, not from the outside in.
The only partial exceptions to this are wrinkles and skin cancers, which come from sun damage. But even these, too, are worsened by internal inflammation and oxidative stress caused by things like smoking and poor diet.
Now let's look a little at the problem of acne (many other skin problems also respond to this approach, which I will cover in later blogs).
Here are some things that I have learned over the years and that have been very well reviewed and summarized in The Clear Skin Diet:
A Poor Diet is Bad for Your Skin
Nutritional Deficiencies Promote Acne
Hormonal Imbalances Cause Skin Problems
Your Brain Can Cause Acne
I may seem like a broken record, but it's true -- Biology is biology.
I hope you've learned more today about how getting to the roots of illness via the 7 Key to UltraWellness can help you uncover the source of your health problem, wherever you may find it -- even in a pimple on your nose!!
Now I'd like to hear from you...
Do you suffer from acne?
Have you noticed if your skin looks better or worse when you eat certain foods?
What steps have you taken to keep your skin healthy?
Please let me know your thoughts by adding a comment below.
To your good health,
Mark Hyman, M.D.
Mark Hyman, M.D. practicing physician and founder of The UltraWellness Center is a pioneer in functional medicine. Dr. Hyman is now sharing the 7 ways to tap into your body's natural ability to heal itself. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, watch his videos on Youtube and become a fan on Facebook.
Follow Mark Hyman, MD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markhymanmd
Robert Tornambe, M.D.: Best Skin Care: What's in That Cream You're Putting on Your Face?
I tend to believe what you say because my condition is definitely hormonal but I think diet can play a role in equalizing or controlling the condition. There are only 3 times in the past 15 or so years that I have not had acne. 1. When I was on an oral contraceptives. 2. When I was pregnant or nursing 3. When I was on the South Beach Diet.
Messing with hormones scares me. Perhaps I have an imbalance but I would rather treat my acne with dietary improvements than pills and creams.
I used to have pretty bad acne, i tried products and creams and pills and nothing worked enough. Products would dry my skin out, or make it more oily. I noticed a dramatic change in my skin when i gave up coffee and replaced it with tea. eating healthy, fruits and veggies, fish, and soy, just like you stated, plus excersize, not only does my skin glow, but over all, my mood is better too. In los angeles it's very hard to have healthy diet habits, because of all the fad dieting or quick fixes. On the occasion i get a break out (pms yikes!), I will dab sycylic acid gel on my pimples, that does the trick. But now, at least I know why i'm breaking out if I do! Intestesting how the standard american diet spells out SAD, because it sure is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCcnH992X2Y
Drink plenty of water (keep sipping throughout the day).
Avoid greasy foods.
Relax.
One thing that stuck out to me was the part on milk chocolate causing acne and dark chocolate helping. I know lot of people that have been eating a certain brand of healthy dark chocolate that doesn't have the fillers waxes, processed sugars, milk, etc and their skin has improved in huge ways.
Several have had their acne disappear, roughness and dry skin patches have gone, skin seems to be thicker and healthier in appearance. Even hair and nails have improved. It seems to be pretty incredible!
I have done some research on dark chocolate and skin and have found that certain types of dark chocolates are loaded with antioxidants and help thicken the skin, improve hydration and protect against UV damage.
I am sold! This chocolate is not avaliable in the stores but can only be purchased on line or through distributors. If you want to learn more you can go to this website wade.chocolatevitamins.net
I struggled with adult onset acne in my 30's and early 40's. It wasn't until I was diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity that I began to detox and my skin cleared right up.
In fact, I learned about leaky gut and started a strict diet, quit smoking and LOST 20 pounds.
Also the hormones in non organic dairy were causing cysts on my face, sometimes immediately after.