Teens, Dairy Products & Acne- Is There A Connection?
In past posts, I've already debunked the myths that sugar and chocolate cause acne. According to dermatologists, genetics and hormonal fluctuations are what determines if a person will develop acne, hence the tendency to occur at the onset of and during puberty. But, what about dairy products? Is there a link between this food group and teens with acne? Actually, yes there is.
If you're a parent of a teen who has acne, you already know how embarrassed your child can feel when they have a breakout and have to try and face the world. Unfortunately, kids can be cruel and your child's self esteem can wind up in the toilet when they're being ridiculed by classmates about the bumps all over their face.
The first place you can begin to help your teen deal with acne is by taking a look at their diet. Recent studies have pointed to the intake of dairy products as being a contributing factor to teenage acne. One of the largest studies to demonstrate this was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by a team at Harvard University.
What The Research Says…
The researchers analyzed the habits and diets of nearly 50,000 people, looking especially at what they ate while in high school. Those who drank 3 or more cups of milk a day, the researchers found, were 22% more likely to experience severe acne compared to those who drank one serving or less. Skim milk was actually found to have the greatest effect. Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also associated with breakouts, while chocolate and greasy foods were not. The researchers attributed the effect to hormones in milk; other studies have had similar findings.
Dr. Diane S. Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, said foods that contain iodides, like shellfish, soy sauce and kelp, might also exacerbate acne. Iodides are thought to play a role in inflammation. Also, cows lick salt licks which get into the milk and can be another reason behind the connection of acne and dairy products.
The Bottom Line: If your teen has acne, take a look at their diet and share this information with them. Consider switching to organic foods that do not contain hormones. Also, you may want to put away the salt shaker or at least switch to uniodized salt.
Question: Do you have a teen or know of someone with a teen who has acne? Do you feel this information will be helpful to them? Let me know by leaving a comment in the box below. Thank you!
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-The Mineral Makeup Coach