Cadillac Fairview

FACE FACTS

We’ve been told that we are what we eat. But, when it comes to acne prevention, what does this really mean? We went to Dominika Zarzeczny, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at Toronto’s Annex Clinic, for the answers and got her take on certain foods and vitamin supplements that help promote clear skin.

“Studies show that acne is a common and complex skin disease that affects individuals of all ages. In Western populations, acne is estimated to affect 79–95% of the adolescent population, 40–54% of individuals older than 25, and 12% of women and 3% of men by middle age. Although familial and ethnic factors are implicated in acne prevalence, these are complicated by lifestyle factors, including diet.

Think of the skin as a barometer of internal inflammation. The occurrence of pimples is a common manifestation of systemic toxicity.  Detoxification, the physiological removal of toxic substances from the body, is an essential part of every living organism. When the toxic load becomes greater than the rate at which the organs of detoxification (kidneys, lungs, liver, bowels) eliminate, it starts to ’spill over’ into the secondary organ of elimination - the skin. By aiding the elimination of toxins by way of the proper channels we can reduce the toxic load on the skin.”

Dominika recommends:

- Stinging nettle and burdock root. These nutritive herbs are fantastic internal cleansers. Doses of burdock root (as a tincture) range by age.

- Green tea. Containing powerful antioxidants that work to prevent acne by reducing a powerful acne-causing hormone called dihydro-testosterone.

- B vitamins - namely B3, B5, and B6. All work to metabolize hormones and support the detoxfication pathways in the liver.

- Tea tree oil. This has effective in the treatment of moderate acne. When applied topically to the skin, this oil acts as an antimicrobial and antiseptic. However, it may cause skin irritation for people with sensitive skin.

- Zinc. An essential mineral that protects against free radical damage and is a component of many enzymes needed to repair wounds. Zinc can be found in foods like wheat germ, bran, alfalfa, beans, nuts, almonds, whole grains, as well as sesame, poppy, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. On its own, if supplemented for too long, Zinc may cause a copper deficiency.

“The same studies I referenced earlier show a clear connection between diet, stress, hormones and acne. Poor diets, specifically ones that are comprised of high-glycemic foods may be a significant contributor to the high prevalence of acne seen in Western countries. Our hectic lifestyles have turned the stress response, evolutionarily designed to be acute and short-lived, into a chronic health problem.”

Note that the above recommendations are good skin supplements and therapies, but food allergies and sensitivities should be tested for and considered. Consult with a licensed health practitioner before implementing any of the above recommendations.