Acne is an unfortunate consequence for many when going from childhood to adolescence, but there are things you can do to diminish the extent of acne for your children. It is also a condition that can extend in to adulthood, in fact the second largest category of sufferers is women aged 20-40, the largest category being pubescent boys.
What causes Acne?
It is a skin ailment in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed.
The sebum produced by the glands cannot escape because the hair follicles become blocked by keratin. The keratin blockage becomes black, forming blackheads.
Acne is the most prevalent skin ailment in the western world.
Although some aspects of acne are hereditary, an excessive consumption of dietary fats (especially the trans-fatty acids) may cause acne by increasing sebum production. A high intake of margarine can cause acne as most margarines contain trans fatty acids.
What helps?
Brewer's yeast helps acne. In one double blind clinical study, in 80% of patients, the condition was considered to be healed or considerably improved
Vitamins that have been found helpful include:
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B3 oral and topical
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
Minerals that have been found helpful include:
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Silicon
- Zinc orally and topically.
- Silver orally and topically.
- Calcium and/or a Potassium deficiency can be a contributing factor
Lipids that have been found helpful include:
- Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA)
- Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
- Lauric Acid
Our foodstate Multi Vitamin/Mineral and Essential Fatty Acid complex cover nearly all these ingredients
Foods and Herbs that have been found helpful include:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae and brewer's yeast may be useful for the treatment of acne.
- Propolis (tincture or ointment applied topically)
- Aloe Vera (gel applied topically)
- Burdock
- Calendula (Marigold)
- Chaparral
- Chaste Berry
- Goldenseal (applied topically)
- Green Tea (extract cream applied topically and tea consumed)
- Fish Oils
- Flax Seed Oil
- Lavender (oil applied topically)
- Neem Oil (applied topically)
- Oregano Oil (applied topically)
- Tea Tree Oil (applied topically)
- Fenugreek Seeds (crushed as a tea)
- Grapefruit Seed Extract (applied topically)
- Rye Sprouts (concentrated extracts of Rye Sprouts applied topically)