Opinions vary in the medical community as to
whether or not diet plays a significant role in acne.
Some common misconceptions about the connection
between food and acne breakouts have been disproved.
For example, according to several studies,
chocolate does not cause acne..
Acne is caused when
glands in the skin called sebaceous glands begin to
form sticky oil called sebum. These glands are stimulated
by hormones that become active at puberty
which is why acne occurs most often in adolescence
when these hormones are produced in abundance.
The
oils formed by the sebaceous glands hold dead skin
cells preventing them form being sloughed off. As
these cells die, they create the perfect environment
for bacteria to grow. When these bacteria called
Acne Vulgaris become too plentiful, they will attempt
to erupt from the skin causing a pimple.
Sometimes,
when the bacteria grow, the body sends white blood
cells to fight the infection. This natural reaction can
cause painful, large cysts to form in the deeper layers
of skin. Chocolate may not cause acne, but the fat and
sugar that usually accompanies chocolate may.
Eliminating certain foods from the diet and
increasing the amount of specific vitamins and minerals
may help reduce the amount of sebum produced
and prevent acne breakouts.
However, the interaction
between diet and acne is not a simple cause and effect
relationship. If an oily food is eaten, the oil does not
travel to the skin or cause it to be oily, but high levels
of fat in the blood may effect the production of hormones
such as testosterone. Higher levels of hormones
may cause acne to worsen.
