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Womens
Health
Acne
Acne is an inflammation
of the pilosebaceous glands which secrete oil providing
lubrication for the hair and skin.
For acne to occur there
needs to be increased sebum (oil) production which cannot
escape because the glands become blocked by keratin.
Once this takes place
bacterial overgrowth with propionibacterium acnes takes
place releasing fatty acids which are irritating and
set up inflammation. This results in the familiar blackheads
or whiteheads, as well as papules and pustules all of
which are very unsightly and extremely debilitating.
This process is thought
to be caused by excess testosterone which reaches peak
production in adolescence.
Males, having higher
testosterone levels, are more affected than females.
However, acne can manifest throughout life and just
why this happens remains much of a mystery.
Research that has recently
come to light has led to interesting new perspectives
on acne.
The
7 new findings:
1) Testosterone,
DHEA and Dihydrotestosterone
The adrenal hormone
DHEA as well as raised testosterone levels are associated
with the perpetuation of severe acne.
Testosterone is converted
to djhydrotestosterone, an even more potent male hormone,
by means of an enzyme called 5alpha reductase.
Dihydrotestosterone
is the hormone which does the damage to your skin. It
is important to realise that females have these hormones
and some have more than others.
There are two ways
to prevent the negative effects of dihydrotestosterone
on your body. Either you have to inhibit the activity
of 5-alpha reductase or you have to increase the breakdown
of dihydrotestosterone via your liver.
Those nutrients that
reduce the activity of 5-alpha reductase include zinc,
soy, flaxseed, pumpkin seed and evening primrose oil.
Diets high in saturated fat such as meat, milk and butter
increase 5-alpha reductase.
To enhance the detoxification
capability of your liver, thereby reducing dihydrotestosterone
a diet high in garlic, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
would be beneficial.
Consuming lots of berry
fruits such as strawberries and blackberries, as well
as taking supplements of the vitamins A, C and E and
the herb St Mary’s thistle (Silybum marianum) would
further augment liver function.
2. Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome
This syndrome is also
associated with the overproduction of male hormones.
If you have acne, irregular periods, and fertility problems
and are overweight, you may be suffering from this syndrome.
It is now thought that
this hormonal imbalance arises from high insulin levels
in your bloodstream, which have an inability to regulate
your blood sugar in an appropriate fashion. This leads
to sugar cravings which are difficult to satisfy.
Dietary manipulation
can correct your insulin levels and rectify the oversupply
of male hormones.
3. Oestrogen
Excess oestrogen has
equally been linked with the development of acne. If
you suffer from breast pain, headaches and skin complaints
chances are you have too much oestrogen in your system.
Consuming more soy
products, chickpeas, lentils and the herb red clover,
all of which are rich in nutrients known as phytoestrogens,
will reduce the potency of oestrogen in your body. The
effects of excess oestrogen will dramatically diminish
and your skin should improve significantly.
4. Progesterone
John Lee 2nd in his
book on natural progesterone claims that progesterone
deficiency leads to the increased production of male
hormones resulting in acne. He has found that giving
progesterone cream reduces androgens (male hormones)
which improves acne considerably.
5. Candida
Candida infestations
of the skin and mucous membranes have now been linked
with the development of acne. The association of Candidiasis
with other disorders has long been ridiculed by the
medical profession, however there is now evidence that
this connection may be valid.
Studies show that patients
with acne have a much higher incidence of oral and genital
thrush. Eradicating Candida overgrowth may significantly
improve your acne.
6. Helicobacter
pylori
Helicobacter pylori,
a bacterium which proliferate in plaque on the teeth
and resides in the stomach where it causes ulcers, has
now been associated with the development of rosacea.
Rosacea is a chronic
acne-like condition of the face whereby raised red lumps
develop around the nose and forehead. If you suffer
from pain in your stomach area as well as indigestion
and you have acne it may be worthwhile having a test
for Helicobacter pylori.
Treating this bacterium
may ameliorate your skin condition.
7. Free-radicals
Free-radicals are those
chemicals which generate all sorts of diseases in your
body. A study performed in Japan this revealed that
free-radicals generated by white cells which are part
of your immune system lead to the development of acne.
Linoleic acid found
in evening primrose oil was able to suppress free-radicals
and reduce the inflammation associated with acne.
NEXT
Let us now look at
how we can incorporate these dramatic new developments
in the treatment of acne.
Diet,
Tests and Remedies for acne >>>
Acne
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Syndrome | Depression
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Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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