Posted June 19, 2013: by Bill Sardi
Acne affects most people at some time in their life. It is the most common skin condition and it can have devastating effects on their quality of life, and it can leave permanent scars. An estimated 85% of teenagers, 42% of men and 51% of women between the ages of 20-30 years of age are affected.
There is no more distressing condition that can strike the soul of a teenage female than acne. Yet among sufferers, more than half are women over 25 years of age. It is particularly discouraging to see dermatologists treat the infection caused by eruptions in facial sebaceous gland rather than address causes of the problem.
Clearly, testosterone provokes this skin condition. More specifically, a precursor to testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), drives this condition. You will see young athletes (runners, swimmers) of both sexes plagued by acne, and physical activity drives testosterone. Athletes that dope with androgenic steroids to enhance their athletic performance are often plagued by acne.
Another acne factor is polycystic ovary in females. Estrogen supplementation is a first-line treatment for this type of acne. The facial hair growth commonly exhibited in polycystic ovary is another indication of testosterone drive this skin problem. Use of supplemental inositol is an effective treatment for polycystic ovary, and inositol also appears to eradicate acne among women with this condition.
Drugs that interfere with sex hormones, such as certain antibiotics, steroids and a variety of other medications may incite acne. Testosterone injections themselves induce acne.
Up till the 1960s acne was “treated” with dietary approaches. But in recent times it has been “medicinized.” Antibiotics to quell the skin infections have become first line treatment.
Since fats are needed to produce sex hormones, and there is high demand for sex hormones in youth and in pregnancy, a shortage of the proper fats to produce hormones results in eruption of sebaceous glands. Western diets are particularly low in omega-3 oils and low-fat diets impair both omega-3 and omega-6 essential oils. So it is not surprising to learn that fish oil supplementation has been found to be helpful among acne sufferers. Omega 3&6 oils are cited in the medical literature as “healing fats” for the skin. Traditional diets rich in omega-3 oils have low rates of acne. The combined use of omega-3 oil plus green tea, zinc, selenium and chromium has been shown to alleviate acne.
There are other natural remedies for acne cited in the medical literature:
This author’s recommended natural remedy for acne is flaxseed meal (crushed seed), which is a mild anti-estrogen that contains other nutritional factors for the skin. Flaxseed provides more omega-3 oil than any other natural source. Add to yogurt, cereal or other foods, two tablespoons per day. (Flaxseed can be ground in a coffee grinder and preferably stored in the refrigerator.) Most flaxseed users report gradual diminution of their facial skin eruptions. Aloe vera gel is a good topical remedy. ©2013 Bill Sardi Knowledge of Health, Inc.
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