Many individuals with acne don’t even think to consider that the foods they eat may be contributing to their breakouts. In actuality, what you consume plays a huge role in how your skin behaves- good or bad.
The biggest nutritional culprits for triggering acne breakouts are iodides (and foods that contain them) and foods that are high in androgens. Iodides irritate the follicle lining prompting inflammation resulting in breakouts to occur. Androgens stimulate the hormone testoterone which signals the sebaceous (oil) glands to start working overtime. More inflammation + more oil = more acne.
If you are acne-prone, you should consider reducing the following in your diet:
IODIDES
-Iodized salt
-Milk (including organic and especially nonfat)
-Cheese
-Whey or Soy protein shakes and bars
-Soy (tofu, soy milk, tempeh, edamame, soy sauce)
-Seafood, Shellfish (shrimp, scallops, cod, lobster, etc.)
-Spirulina, Chlorella, Blue-Green Algae (found commonly in Green Drinks)
-Kelp, Miso Soup, Seaweed, Carrageenan, Seaweed Supplements
-Vitamins with iodides, kelp, potassium iodide, Vitamins B12 & B7 (biotin)
ANDROGENS
-Peanuts, Peanut Butter (peanuts are also very inflammatory besides being high in androgens)
-Peanut Oil, Corn Oil, Canola Oil
-Shellfish
-Organ Meats including pate
In looking at these lists you may be wondering, “Well what CAN I eat???” First, take a deep breath. You don’t have to cut out these foods entirely. However, if you have acne you should consider significantly reducing the intake of these foods in your diet.
In my next blog post, I will share which foods you can use as substitutes for those high in iodides and angrogens. Until then, try to begin reducing some of the acne triggers foods listed above.