Diet : Acne Treatment Guide

How does diet help your acne? We are not saying that a healthy diet will cure acne but it can prevent it from worsening. Eating a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and all the essential vitamins will help to keep your skin in a good condition. Drinking plenty of water will help as well.

If you are prone to acne breakouts then it is a good idea to revisit your diet to see if you can identify any foods which may trigger acne. Making a few changes to your diet may ease acne symptoms and prevent any further breakouts. Include the following in your diet:

• Vitamin A: this is vital for a healthy skin as well as maintaining a hormonal balance. If you are not taking in enough Vitamin A then this may be the cause of your acne. Vitamin A can be found in green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale; carrots, peaches and apricots.
• Vitamin B6: this helps to regulate the immune system as well as reducing the effects of stress. Chronic stress can aggravate acne so it is worth including this in your diet.
• Zinc: a deficiency of this mineral can lead to an excess production of testosterone which is a cause of acne. Zinc can be found in Brazil nuts, wholegrains and pumpkins seeds so include these in your diet.
• Chromium: a mineral which helps to regulate blood sugar. A deficiency of this can lead to fluctuating blood sugar levels which apparently, is a problem for most of the population! Good sources of chromium include Brewers Yeast and molasses.
• Selenium: this is another mineral which is also vital for general health. Good sources of this include tuna, cod and Brazil nuts.

These can be added to your diet as and when necessary. Don’t feel that you have to give up your treats of chocolate, fast food or cakes, but limit these to special occasions.