Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Adaptogens and Acne

Acne is defined as hair follicles that are plugged with oil and dead skin.  This is due to excessive sebum (oil) production, abnormal hair follicles and a particular bacterium, propionibacterium.  These bacteria cause a stimulation of pro-inflammatory lipases, causing inflammatory cells to efflux into the hair follicles, resulting in papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.  Basically, the body's inflammatory and immune responses are over-stimulated and imbalanced. 

It's possible that genetics may play a role in acne and hormonal imbalances do appear to cause changes in the symptoms, but diet and weight control have been ruled out as having any affect on the symptoms or their relief.  Traditional medical treatment includes topical salicylic acid to oral corticosteroids for non-hormonal acne and oral hormone therapy with antibiotics or topical benzoyl peroxide for hormonal acne.  Side effects can run the gamut of dry, chapped skin and lips to severe headaches, and, "adverse psychiatric events."  Such clinical descriptions for what may result in life-altering problems.

While I would agree that cutting out greasy, fast foods and chocolate have not relieved the symptoms of acne, I would not agree that changes in diet have no effect on acne's symptoms.  What do we know about acne?

It is associated with changes in the body's inflammatory and immune responses.
Inflammatory responses are at the foundation of systemic imbalances.
Systemic imbalances are caused by intestinal inflammation which, in turn, impacts neurons.
Neurons carry all information via polypeptides, including altered or imbalanced information.
Normalizing the body's inflammatory response, via normalizing the gut, is essential to homeostasis.


Diet plays an essential role in how our body responds to stress.  Inflammation is the body's way of responding to excessive stress.  Botanical herbs, certain supplements and foods can all be a part of a whole body approach of nutrient support for those with acne.

<ahref=http://fixdhealthcare.com>

No comments:

Post a Comment