Are there food items that cause acne?

Previous studies failed to discover any relationship between diet and acne. However, more recent studies are showing a possible relationship between chocolate and acne.

Chuck the chocolate. If your diet includes a lot of chocolate bars, expect a serious sugar rush that may cause acne. After you eat a delicious bar of chocolate, your rising blood sugar can lead to an increase in insu lin levels, in turn causing an increase in the levels of a specific growth factor called Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 can promote excessive growth of skin cells, eventually clogging the pores. In addition, IGF-1 also increases the level of androgens in your body, leading to increased oil production.

A study done by Cappel et al showed that adolescents with acne had elevated IGF-1 levels. Another study done last 2007 revealed that after being given a diet with less sugar, men with acne had significantly less acne. These studies show that diet may play a role in causing acne.

Ditch the dairy. If your diet includes milk and dairy, your diet may be the bulprit behind your acne. Milk and dairy may cause increased IGF-1, just like chocolate. Cow’s milk in particular has hormones such as different types of progesterones, estrogens, androgens, and glucocorticoids that promote acne formation.

Other than hormones, the milk you are drinking may be high in iodine which may cause an acneiform eruption called iododerma. Hence, a diet rich in dairy may cause more pimples.

Pick your vitamin pills. Using vitamins to supplement your diet may cause you to break out; that’s because some multivitamin preparations have iodides. If you notice getting more pimples after starting on a new vitamin, see your doctor and ask for an alternative.