The case for our food quality directly influencing skin conditions such as vitamin deficiency with acne and rosacea vitamin deficiency is not only strengthening; the rapid growth of gastrointestinal disorders celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease is also highlighting nutrient deficiencies within our populations. Overall, there are direct links to nutrient levels and food quality impacting our general health and the conditions we suffer. You may also be interested in the mechanics of acne formation an in-depth look at how acne begins.

Hormonal balance has long been a trigger of many skin conditions specifically Acne & Rosacea, the more we understand about these ailments, the more we see diet and nutrient deficiencies impacting the frequency and severity of the skin conditions. A person’s environmental factors, emotional stress levels and lifestyle habits all intertwine with our diet, the body’s overall balance impacting our general well being.

Common links have formed between nutrient deficiencies and skin disorders.

Acne. If we look at the general nutrient deficiencies in Acne suffers it includes vitamins A, E, B-2, B-6, C, K-2; and zinc, also, biotin; EFAs; niacin & potassium. The deficiencies also tie into our diet with aggressors including; carbohydrates, carbonated drinks, dairy, iodine, offal, red meat, shellfish, processed sugars, and wheat.

Rosacea. As we treat and understand more each year with Rosacea, more links are forming between diet and lifestyle. Stress and our ability to manage pressure also influence our skin conditions. Nutritional deficiencies including EFAs, hydrochloric acid and malabsorption of B vitamins present in Rosacea sufferers; the more we understand about these aggressors and triggers the easier long term management of Rosacea becomes. The explicit links between diet, health & environmental factors are what form the basis of treatment at Clinic Zest.

How to solve acne problems naturally

Granted we have a great deal to be thankful for with the Medical sector, treating acne & rosacea with standardised drugs, is not gaining results.  There is too much evidence at all corners of life that, not just a balanced diet is needed, but a diet with correct nutrient levels is key to long-term health and wellness. Furthermore, mental health, stress our lives creates impacts substantially, regardless of diet; highlighting the direct links between mental health and physical health.

Nutrient Deficiencies, not just a case of a more balanced diet

Over two billion people suffer from conditions triggered by nutrient deficiency. Gastrointestinal disorders have risen and many highlight the links with commercial food production practises. Genetically modified food is attracting much debate and not in a positive light. Irradiated foods, depletion of mineral-laden soils with over farming. The continual debate with traces of herbicides, insecticides and fertilisers causing food intolerances. It has become not a case of just buying fruit and veg but supporting them with the missing nutrients. With each passing year more negative light shines on commercial food practises, it goes to show we should all try and grow what we can and why allotments should be encouraged.

Individuals need, assessment and natural science the key to effective treatment

A mantra of today’s progressive aesthetic clinic, a shift from just topical treatment into a science of health, nutrition and overall wellness.

Carbohydrates are fundamental to skin cell growth but our modern diets high in carbs, fats and sugars directly show with increased adult acne.

Carbohydrates. Fundamental to skin cells, the glucose we need to be taken from carbohydrates, the foundation structure processing proteins and lipids contained in the extracellular epidermis. Consuming too many carbohydrates can directly affect the blood sugar levels, glucose is rapidly broken down creating proinflammatory enzymes and developing glycosylases that result in glycation. In human nutrition and biology, ‘advanced glycation end products’, known as ‘AGEs’, are substances that can be a factor in the development or worsening of many degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic renal failure, and Alzheimer’s disease. These harmful compounds can affect nearly every type of cell and molecule in the body and are thought to be one factor in ageing and some age-related chronic diseases.

Overconsumption of carbohydrates also ties into acne. With blood sugar level fluctuations, insulin levels are influenced along with the IGF-1 hormones, estrogenic production can be affected. Acne sufferers often show an increase of the 5-alpha reductase deficiency of steroid metabolism, this often results in the development of androgen hormones, increasing sebum production & hyperkeratotic conditions.

You are what you eat and how you feel

Adult onset acne produces a typical trigger list if there is a secret to effective acne treatment it is not in the topical cosmeceuticals or the IPL machine rather in how we address and treat the primary aggressors.

• Emotional stress
• Hormonal imbalances and fluctuation
• Yeast production & Candida
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Intolerance of particular foods
• Digestion and nutrient absorption concerns
• Genetic disposition

Once we become more aware of our individual triggers and stressors, we are better able to formulate plans on how to combat these easier in our everyday life. Apart from diet, stress is one of our biggest problems in modern life; the advice of, relax more and stress less, is much easier said than done. It might sound cliche but fitting in regular exercise and downtime for you is critical, for everyday health and wellness.

Taking an active role in our diet will benefit all parts of our lives

Nutritionally, we can combat deficiencies with relative ease. Nutritional science and supplements are in continuous development with product lines tailored to common deficiencies. Taking a healthy lunch to work instead of buying it, not only saves money it takes an active, healthy role in our diet. I know this is easily written and putting it into practice far more difficult, but planning for a healthy you, makes sense; don’t you think?

Actively help your diet gain beneficial nutrients supplementing meals with ingredients from the ANDI (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index) the index created by Dr. Fuhrman lists foods with a scoring system rating the nutrient density of each. High scoring foods included Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens, Spinach, Carrots and Brussel Sprouts.

Natural Dermatology is becoming more than a trend in the esthetician industry. Getting to the cause of skin conditions, acne problems for adults and treating them, just makes better sense than the medication, masking, scenario of medical treatment. Our digestive system and filtration system need to be in good working order, the toxicity of the body, undue toxic loads, (processed foods, saturated fats, high glucogenic diets) are all incubators and aggressors of acne. Emotional stress feeds a toxic load onto the body, just like bad foods increasing the overall weight our bodies face and, in turn, manifest into conditions.

Is there a secret to clear skin, good health and wellbeing?

I am not sure about a secret, but there are certainly best practises. Not enough hours in the day, I don’t have time for a balanced diet. I am too busy with kids, work, paying the mortgage to enable time for good health. Lack of time cited as one of the first excuses for not having the time for oneself. That four letter word gains a great deal of attention, without sounding the wish to preach, the entire narrative is counterproductive.

In our hurry to serve everyone but ourselves is the incubator to most of our problems. Starting at the three society agreed rest points is a good place to start, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Planning for these three events in our day can have wide-reaching health benefits. Slowing down breakfast, you, you and a partner or a whole family, it is not only possible to slow it down, but it also aids in combatting emotional stresses. Supplement breakfast with Skin Vitality 2, The advanced formulation also contains vitamin D, iron and vitamin C for the normal function of the immune system and antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, plus manganese to help protect cells from oxidative stress.

Lunch is often at work and planning better for the office lunch break will have you returning to work feeling more refreshed and able for the day. I am a big promoter of taking lunch; I should declare I have a loving husband that makes it for me but none the less, a healthy lunch, is a healthy skin. Taking time away from work is essential to our wellbeing. Supplementing lunch with Skin Omegas+, Women lacking in Omega 3 can suffer from dehydration, spotty areas, breakouts and general poor skin health.

Dinner, can we plan for more vegetables, fewer potatoes and meat, more, whole grain rice, whole grain pasta, select some high nutrient density foods to accompany main meals. Salad’s can accompany nearly any meal, include sprouts and beans. Accompany dinner with Skin Collagen Support, As we get older, our skin can lose elasticity; true of all skin types, but particularly for fairer tones, because they have less melanin protection from UV rays.

In conclusion, treating our skin conditions is often more than a case of a prescribed medication. Taking an active role in our diet, a more conscious look at our emotional stressors and planning for you time is important for long-lasting acne treatment. Acne is very treatable when approached from the right direction, looking inside first, combatting the triggers and aggravators will gain results. If you are suffering from Acne, Rosacea, Eczema or Psoriasis, call Zest on 01 890 2441 and make an appointment to see me, Emma, together we can plan for a clear skin future.