Health Choices

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.

No one knows the true cause of acne. The distribution globally of acne raises the possibility that low carbohydrate intake is responsible for the lower incidence of acne in non-Western countries. Insulinaemia (raised Insulin level) occur following a high carbohydrate intake. Insulinaemia 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 control diet rich in carbohydrate and a low glycemic load diet. The low glycemic load diet had 45% energy from low glycemic Index carbohydrate and 25% from protein. Included in the study were 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 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition July Issue 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.”

Foods with low Glycemic Index are complex carbohydrate rich. As a result, glucose is released slowly. If sugar is slowly released into the blood, the Insulin demand is less. Circulating blood sugar is controlled by Insulin. It also affects sex and growth hormones.

Blood sugar level is monitored after food is eaten to assess the Glycemic Index of foods.

Low Glycemic Index (LGI): 55 and lower.

Medium Glycemic Index (MGI): 56 to 69.

High Glycemic Index (HGI): 70 +

Low Glycemic Index Food: Heavy Mixed Grain 45 Whole Wheat 49 Special K (UK) 54  Natural Muesli 40  Porridge 58  All-bran (UK) 30  Oat bran 50  Rolled Oats 51 Soya and Linseed 36  Wholegrain Pumpernickel 46  Tomatoes 15 Onions 10  Raw Carrots 16  Broccoli 10 Boiled Carrots 41 Frozen Green Peas 39 Frozen Sweet Corn 47   Cabbage 10  Mushrooms 10  Lettuce 10  Green Beans 15  Red Peppers 10   Chillies 10  Cauliflower 15

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 Reject white bread, burgers, and French fries and eat more beans and cereals to keep those zits away or under your control.

For good health, low stress and clear skin maintain a low glycemic diet.