Improve Acne with Low Glycemic Food.
When my son played Ice Hockey as a teenager, he went away on weekends for back to back games. He always returned very spotty. When he was at home, his diet was dictated by us and was very good but when away he ate lots of junk food high in carbohydrate.
It has always been my belief that there is a very strong link between acne and diet. A study done recently has made things a lot clearer. The prevalence of acne, a distressing skin condition, is very high. It is estimated that 79 to 95% of adolescents, 40 to 54% aged 25 and older, 12% of women and 3% men in their middle age have acne.
The cause of acne is still not clearly known but on the basis of global figures, showing higher level of acne in the West, there is a likelihood that high carbohydrate consumption may be a factor. High carbohydrate intake results in high levels of Insulin (Hyperinsulinemia). Experts feel that hyperinsulinemia plays a part in acne because of the association with available androgen and growth factor.
Dr. Robyn. N. Smith and colleagues, in a 12 week study using 43 male adults with acne aged between 15 and 24 used randomised low glycemic load diet and a control diet rich in carbohydrate dense foods with no consideration to the glycemic index. A low glycemic load diet has 25% energy from protein and 45% from low glycemic index carbohydrates. The study was carried out at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the results showed significant reduction of acne in the low glycemic diet compared to the control diet rich in carbohydrates.
This randomised trial was the first to look at acne and the specific effect low glycemic index food have.
In a press release, Dr Smith and his colleagues said, “Although we could not isolate the effect of the low glycemic load diet from that of weight loss, the findings support the hypothesis of a relationship between acne and high insulin levels and acne.”
Food with low glycemic Index are rich in complex carbohydrates. As a result, they release glucose very slowly into the blood steam. If sugar is released slowly into the blood, the Insulin demand is less. Insulin controls circulating blood sugar and affects growth and sex hormones.
Glycemic Index is a value obtained by monitoring blood sugar after eating the food. Low Glycemic Index: 55 and lower. Medium Glycemic Index: 56 to 69. High Glycemic Index: 70 +
Foods with Low Glycemic Index. Heavy Mixed Grain 45 Whole Wheat 49 Special K (UK) 54 Natural Muesli 40 Porridge 58 All-bran (UK) 30 Oat bran 50 Rolled Oats 51 Soya and Linseed 36 Wholegrain Pumpernickel 46 Tomatoes 15 Onions 10 Raw Carrots 16 Broccoli 10 Boiled Carrots 41 Frozen Green Peas 39 Frozen Sweet Corn 47 Cabbage 10 Mushrooms 10 Lettuce 10 Green Beans 15 Red Peppers 10 Chillies 10 Cauliflower 15
High Glycemic Index Foods. Watermelon 80 Dates 103 Instant White Rice 87 Glutinous Rice 86 Short Grain White Rice 83 Tapioca 70 Scones 92 Pretzels 83 Rice Cakes 87 Fresh Mashed Potatoes 73 French Fries 75 Donuts 76 Instant Mashed Potatoes 80
To knock spots off your teenage child or yourself, eats cereals and beans regularly and avoid white bread, burgers, and French fries.

