acne and low carb

[steflou]

Has anyone noticed their acne improve on low carb? I have had problems for about two months with some acne/dry patched (took break from low carb). I read where low carb can help acne. Any thoughts?:)

[Roadstr]

When I lower my carbs my skin clears up. I have always had problems with acne. Think of it this way... insulin is inflammatory and if you decrease sugars you decrease that inflammatory response of insulin. Isn't the first thing a doc will tell you is to stay away from chocolate to reduce acne. (Talking cocoa/milk here, not the 85% dark chocolate.)
Anyway, don't ask me for any studies, that's just the way I think of it and it's my experience. I hope you give it a try because it will only take a few days on Phase 1 and you can vary you will probably find out that you can increase your grains and eat a lot of berries and vegetables without your acne coming back. Exercise helps big time, too.
Hope this helps.

[Gaelen]

When I lower my carbs my skin clears up. ... I hope you give it a try because it will only take a few days on Phase 1 and you can vary you will probably find out that you can increase your grains and eat a lot of berries and vegetables without your acne coming back. Exercise helps big time, too. Hope this helps.

Low carbing can help--but a word of caution.
I would NOT 'increase your grains' after only a few days on Phase 1. The entire point of Phase I is to teach your metabolism to switch from burning primarly carbs to fueling from fats and protein. Increasing grain consumption after only a few days will stop that process in its tracks. Further, sensitivity to grains and/or gluten can be one of the many factors in the person's old diet which contributed to increased acne. One reason that low carbing can improve acne issues is that a low carb diet eliminates or seriously reduces grain consumption.

In any case, the extent of grains consumption on Phase I (30-40g ECC per day) will be minimal after counting the carbs from low carb fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc. Most people will/should stay in Phase I for an extended period of time (until their current weight is only 20% over their goal weight, or until all health issues have resolved, or both.)

'Gradually increasing' carbs after only a few days (14, to be precise) is Atkins, not Protein Power.

[pilgrim]

Not just acne, but the closer I stick to my eating plan the fewer inflammatory issues I have. I have a touch of arthritis in my right hip that lets me know when I haven't let the carb count rise too high! :frown:

[pilgrim]

I meant to say my hip let me know when I have let my carbs run too high!

[Angie1313]

Funny how the body has a way of straightening itself out once you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.

[Emersun]

Hi All,
Some tips to reduce acne.
Regular exercise to reduce stress,
Drink plenty of water daily,
Reduce or limit refined carbohydrates and sugar intake,
Avoid caffeine and other stimulants,
Limit dairy products and red meat,
Do take raw food, nuts and seeds more in your diet meals.