Acne is a disease of Western civilization affecting approximately 50 million individuals in the United States. Skin is our largest organ and the biggest organ of detoxification. It functions to protect us from microorganisms, repel chemicals, prevent excess water loss and guard against UV radiation. It also helps us regulate temperature, produce vitamin D and acts as a sensory organ. The skin has 3 layers including the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Our epidermis contains 3 types of cells including basal, squamous and melanocytes. The dermis contains sweat glands, blood vessels, sebaceous (oil) glands, nerve endings and is where vitamin D is synthesized. The hypodermis or subcutaneous layer contains fat cells.
In Naturopathic medicine we look to several different areas to address the cause of acne including bacteria, sebum and terrain.
Bacteria
In acne patients normal flora, Propionibacterium acnes, generates components that cause inflammation and irritate the skin. White blood cells are drawn to the area and which weaken the walls leading to rupture. Pustules and cysts can form from foreign body reaction.
Sebum
Propionibacterium acne proliferates in sebum, altering the epithelial lining which forms plugs called comedones. Sebum in acne patients tends to be of poor quality from consumption of poor quality, heat damaged food such as trans fats and high omega 6/omega 3 ratio. Bacteria living off this poor quality sebum generate byproducts leading to acne.
Terrain
This encompasses a wide variety of internal and external factors including genetics, diet and environmental toxins. An imbalance in gut flora (dysbiosis), high simple carbohydrate diet, poor quality fats and proteins, food allergies and weak digestion can all contribute to the occurrence of acne.
Taking back your skin!
Skin health is very much in your hands. Here are some suggestions to help balance your digestion to promote a healthy terrain and sebum.
- Avoid high glycemic carbohydrates (see link for further description of these foods). http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=32
- Eliminate trans fatty acids
- Eat a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids. We tend to get enough omega 6 in our diet and the balance of 6:3 is generally too great. (See link for omega 3 foods) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=84
- Add fermented foods to your diet for the natural probiotics such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, kefir and tempeh.
Adding a probiotic, fish oil and certain vitamins, minerals and botanicals through nutritional supplementation can also be an effective method to restore gut health, reduce inflammation, support nutrition and healthy skin.
Detoxification
Further internal healing of the digestive tract and skin can be achieved by eating an anti-inflammatory diet, cleansing, colonics, sauna and dry skin brushing. Talk with your naturopath to assist you in making a comprehensive plan to promote skin health.
Images courtesy of: Beautiful Young Woman With Clean Skin Of The Face" by posterize
