What the heck is it with dermatologists? Are they on some sort of
multi billion dollar conspiracy telling acne suffers that food plays
no role in acne! How dare they try to lie to our faces! It's as
obvious as the air we breath that food has a lot to do with the
problem of acne! They just want so desperately to keep up their
clientele. Those bastards!

if we were all cured tomorrow, they'd be out of a job.
do the math
d.

"Healthy Stealthy ;" <healthystealthy@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8898fc46.0407070637.977f6e2@posting.google.co m...

How does diet cause acne?

On Fri, 09 Jul 2004 07:12:14 GMT, "Chicago Dave" <sun@male.com> wrote:

dermatologist - who is one of the top 10 in the world - was quite firm
about this condition being genetic. Since neither of my parents or
siblings had acne I questioned this.

But he said that eczema (sp?) and other skin conditions are in the
same Acne family and that diet doesn't do anything to alleviate the
condition.

The key is a course of something that gets rid of the accumulated
sebum oils that infest the upper body, followed by anti-bacterial
cleanliness.

I was on a regime of accutane with anti-bacterial lotions for washing
the face and upper body (Oxy 10 or Phisohex or whatever it is marketed
under everywhere and available widely even in supermarkets), and a
medically prescribed anti-biotic lotion after cleansing (Dalacin T).

You have to believe me that for years before the advent of accutane
and enlightened medical knowledge about acne, I embarked on a totally
non-fat diet because fats (especially pork fat) was alleged to be the
acne sufferer's nemesis.

Well, rather like the classic migraine sufferer who lays off oranges,
chocolate and alcohol only to find the migraines continue, so did my
acne. In the end I was eating steamed fish, clean salads with no
dressings, no eggs, and only grilled lean meats - and the acne showed
absolutely no improvement.

So forget the diet stuff please. For some people antibiotics help -
but for me it was accutane that cured my acne. Because I was older
than normal when I began the treatment it actually took longer, but it
worked and I have never looked back.

Cheers
Kim

"Success comes to those who don't let it happen, but make it happen."

Despite what Kim says, diet is very important to the quality of your skin
and plays a huge part in acne. Everyone that I know who has cleaned up
their diet has experienced a wonderful change in their skin. And that
includes me. I'm a life long sufferer of acne - the bad kind. No
antibiotics would help and neither did accutane.

The biggest culprit is processed sugar. Also, nuts seem to cause problems
for many people and their skin. For others, any grain can be a problem. I
believe acne to be a symptom, not the disease. We keep treating the
symptoms and not the actual cause of the disease which is why so many of us
have persistant acne.

The body is amazing at self-cleaning and self-healing but we have to give it
the tools to do this. If we eat foods that clog up the works, it's going to
show in our skin or in some other health related problem down the line. The
skin is a huge detox organ.

I also suffered from other skin ailments that cleared up with the change in
diet. So far, the only thing I can't seem to control with diet is my
rosacea.

Good luck to you.
ar

"Chicago Dave" <sun@male.com> wrote in message
news:izrHc.52549$XM6.30786@attbi_s53...

On Fri, 09 Jul 2004 20:00:08 +1200, Kim <KimJT@aussiemail.com.au>
wrote:

It's my experience that diet is closely linked to acne flare ups.
I a 63 year old and know that whenever I eat dairy products,
the next day acne shows up on my back. No eggs, milk
(I use powder milk). ice cream, etc., etc., no acne.

--------------------------------------------
Remove the R in my address to reply directly.

Should add that stress is also is a contributor.

--------------------------------------------
Remove the R in my address to reply directly.

I am 46. I have had acne for 30 years and tried many ways to find a cure
with limited success until recently. I changed my diet and have had good
results. Open pores on my forehead and nose are hardly visible anymore.
Grease plugs that I had to clean out with a mud mask every week have gone
completely. No more spots on my back. Just the odd spot now and again on
my mush. I initially changed my diet for other health reasons, the results
with my acne were a welcome bonus.

I cut out as much refined sugar as I could. Replaced processed foods and
ready meals with more fresh fruit and veg. Replaced White bread with brown.

On Fri, 9 Jul 2004 05:28:35 -0400, "Grant" <hatetheviruses@hiding.com>
wrote:

And to you also. I repeat that my acne was not able to be dealt with
by diet. And there are some acne sufferers for whom this also
applies.

I would like a dermatologist to contribute something to this newsgroup
about his/her patients - and I am sure it would be very illuminating.
There was an international conference fairly recently at which results
of research into skin medications was released. Perhaps a qualified
person could comment on these because I understand that accutane was
given a big thumbs up.

I was on a wholesome very healthy diet for over 15 years. I was slim
and my hair shiny and my health excellent except for the persistent
acne which was not affected by hormones at all. It was just there all
the time. I ate no sugar, nuts, or anything with grains. For two
years I was also wheat-free. I then tried with dairy-free for six
months. This was 50 years ago you understand, and goat milk was the
only non dairy available then. I got quite thin over that period of
course. I drank gallons of water (at least one quart each day) and
virtually lived on vegetables, and what low-sugar type fruits there
are, plus steamed fish and some lean meat (eg corned beef).

Nothing, but nothing did anything for the acne. My enlarged pores
stayed clogged up despite frequent anti-bacterial cleansing and
steaming and I had zits on my face, neck, back and upper chest
constantly. There were certainly times when the spots were not as
ferocious, but they were always present. In the early 1970s one
derematologist in the city I was then living, tried dry ice and this
effected some temporary relief - but they always came back!

I did not have any cysts thank heavens - my acne was not cystic, and I
have not been left with very many scars. A few minor holes and
depressions here and there that are able to be managed well by skilful
use of makup.

Good luck to those whose acne clears up with a good healthy diet, but
if you are not one of these then don't persist for years on a
punishing regime but get some help from a dermatologist.

Cheers

Kim

"Success comes to those who don't let it happen, but make it happen."

Hi there

I am suffering from Acne too.

What Dermatologist message was 'you have to monitor your body's response to
foods intake'. Certain people may find that chocolate does not aggravate
their condition. In the contrary, others may find that eating chocolate or
other "heaty" foods indeed make it worse.

If you are a sever acne sufferer, you may wish to check with your
dermatologist on Accutane (Isotretinoin). That is an oral medication but
with some side effect such as dry lips, and you can't consume alot of
alcohol beverages while on this medication. This will at least helps to
clear your skin for up to a few years.

In conclusion, it is a person's body "tolerance" level.

--
Regards
Terry See
"Healthy Stealthy ;" <healthystealthy@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8898fc46.0407070637.977f6e2@posting.google.co m...

There are those of us who have to go all the way to a nearly "gluten-free" (in
effect no grains at all) to really get a grip on the congestive effects in the
pores. But it does eventually work.

A few years ago some doctors had some diet books out talking about "candida" and
the prevalence of yeasty conditions as a consequence of diets overloaded with
refined grains and sugars. "Authorities" such as radio MD Dean "don't worry be
happy" Edell ridiculed any ideas like this, but anyone in bad health would be
wise to consider looking into the gluten free approach, if only as a short term
corrective measure. (It turns out that some people develop a chronic condition
in the intestines and wind up with malnutrition as a consequence, and everything
from acne to depression can result. The MDs are as usual terrorized by the
prospect of individuals treating themselves so they continue to promote
expensive and often useless drugs.)

tonk wrote:

On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:23:05 +1200, Kim <KimJT@aussiemail.com.au>
some treatments which may help one will actually harm
the other who have same disease. It's confusing for
the medical community. In our support groups
we constantly remind new comers that what may work
wonders for one will not necessarily work for everyone. So,
it's a guessing game and you have to search out a regiment
which works for you. I think the same principle applies
to acne suffers.

--------------------------------------------
Remove the R in my address to reply directly.

My current derm (the 4th) who put me on Accutane made a telling
comment when he explained why he wanted to use it...

"My goal is to try and CURE the problem you have come to me for and
Accutane is the best bet. Unlike most doctors, I am not trying to
patch the problem so you have to keep coming back for years and I can
keep charging for office visits."


It really made me wonder if my past doctors (especially the one I saw
for 10 years) really felt supressing my acne with antibiotics they
KNEW would only work for short periods and would cause me to have to
go back to try something different year after year was for THEIR
benefit more than mine.

So, there is something to be said for derms who perhaps don't use the
newest or most effective treatments because they like to be able to
charge you $75 for an office visit every 6-8 weeks.

But, that said, in my case diet has NOTHING to do with my acne. I have
tried every change immaginable (no caffeine, no processed sugar, etc,
etc.) and my acne marched on without a change at all.

I have celiac disease and lactose intolerance. I eat no dairy, gluten/wheat,
sugar, nuts....and still at 49 have clogged pores and break out. I was on
accutane once....helped tremendously....but couldn't keep it up because of hair
loss. Derm wants me now to go on it at a lower dosage but I'm afraid of the
side effects....especially hair loss again.

"Grant" <hatetheviruses@hiding.com> wrote in message
news:3c2dnVTLctjZ-HPdRVn-gw@adelphia.com...
way of telling you there's something wrong on the inside. Sure everyone
knows about excess sebum (among other things that are representative of
acne) and stuff like that, and every human being's got it in their skin. But
why are you and me more prone to flaring up and having these oils explode
onto our faces? Because we're not keeping our bodies clean... on the inside.
You've gotta get rid of waste products somehow, your skin just happens to be
one of those ways. Sure some people's bodies naturally work better to
balance the internal system, unfortunately ours don't
That's why diet IS important. (Diet alone may not be enough for most, but it
is part of the equation). If you're stressing your internal waste disposal
system, and it can't handle the load, you're likely to get symptoms such as
acne. And what's one big thing that enters your body and leaves wastes? Food
of course. So careful about what you eat. And yes Grant, processed sugar
among other thing's is in my opinion very very bad for you. (Damn you've
been doing your homework). Those god dang fried foods too.

Now, as for this Kim character who claims diet didn't help her. Well dear, a
change in diet alone isn't going to do wonders for most people. And it's not
all about eating lettuce all day or whatever... (How does one live of those
diets?) Your problem was likely one of BALANCE. Sure sure, some of you are
thinking 'great I'll just detox myself and be alright'. Well, not
necessarily. You want to get rid of wastes but you also have to make sure
your getting enough of everything you need to maintain that waste disposal
system, and in a sense feed it to make it stronger.

Lesson here: Don't dis the importance of diet. We all know doctors are
trying to make money off of you so they'll deny it's important.

P.S. I remain vague to illustrate a point, or a process rather. I'm not
gonna go outlining everything you need to eat and what not to eat here.
Understand the idea first, how to implement it after.