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An A-Z Woman's Guide to Vibrant Health
ACNE (hormonal)
During puberty, peri-menopause and menopause, sebaceous (oil) glands
become more active. Pores can become clogged with sebum, dried skin and
bacteria, causing skin to erupt into pimples, red blotches and sometimes
inflamed and infected abscesses. Acne normally appears on the face, shoulders,
scalp, upper arms and legs, upper chest and back. More than 40 percent of
teens seek treatment from a specialist for their acne condition.
Hormonal acne break-outs tend to occur during ovulation or the week
before menstruation. In those women with hormonally induced acne, when
the ovary releases the egg, it often is not able to completely release it. When
this occurs, androgens (male hormones) are secreted in excess, and women
develop acne around the hair line, chin and chest and back. To correct hormonal
acne, many doctors prescribe birth control pills to stop ovulation.
(Today we have 12-year-olds on birth control pills to control acne.)
Nutritional supplements can normalize ovulation and eliminate the problem
at the source. Even mild episodes of acne can lead to scarring, and scars can
be both physical and psychological.
Symptoms
There are various types of skin lesions: a papule is a round bump that may be
invisible but makes the skin feel rough like sandpaper. A comedo occurs when
an oil follicle becomes plugged with oil, dead skin, tiny hairs or bacteria. An
open comedo is known as a blackhead, and a closed comedo is commonly
referred to as a whitehead. The temporary red or pink spot after an acne
lesion has healed is referred to as a macule, and several together contribute to
the appearance of inflammation associated with acne. A nodule is another
dome-shaped lesion similar to a papule, but it extends deeper into the skin,
causing the destruction of tissues that leads to scarring. Nodules can be
painful, as can cysts which are filled with liquid, can be severely inflamed
and also affect deeper skin layers.
Causes
While food choices have been hotly debated as a cause of acne for years,
research out of the University of Colorado is confirming that a diet high in
refined carbohydrates permanently boosts insulin and thus promotes acne.
According to Dr. Loren Cordain, sustained high insulin levels elevate hormone
levels, stimulating the production of oil that leads to clogged pores,
bacterial growth and acne. High-glycemic foods such as breads, cakes, sugars
and soda are major culprits in acne. Although acne is epidemic in our society,
it is virtually unknown in New Guinea and the Amazon where diets focus
on fruits and vegetables. Those with acne should be conscious of foods that
aggravate the condition. Acne is also associated with low stomach acidity,
suggesting incomplete food breakdown and imbalances in the digestive tract.
With the shift between male hormones and female hormones during the
menstrual cycle, acne lesions change. Synthetic progestins and estrogens used
for menopausal symptoms, supplements of DHEA, endometriosis, polycystic
ovary syndrome and estrogen dominance have been linked to acne. Other
drugs such as corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, iodides and bromides are also
known to cause acne, as are cosmetics that block pores.
PRESCRIPTION FOR WOMEN'S HEALTHY SKIN
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Multivitamin with minerals (contains no iron);
FemmEssentials or
MultiEssentials for
Women
See Appendix A for complete formula recommendations
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As directed; should contain the following nutrients:
- Beta carotene 15000 IU
- Folic acid 1 mg
- P-5-P (vitamin B6) 60 mg
- Vitamin B3 30 mg, along with other B vitamins
- Vitamin D 400 IU Promotes healing of skin
- Vitamin E 200 IU
- Zinc 15 mg per day. In one study 135 mg of zinc daily was as effective as 750 mg daily tetracycline without side
effects.
- Chromium picolinate 200 mg per day
- Selenium 100 mcg
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Reduces sebum
production, promotes smooth, clear skin
Facilitates breaking down of excess hormones
Acts as an antioxidant and encourages tissue repair
Essential for healthy immune function
Improves glucose tolerance and essential fatty acid metabolism
To enhance glutathione and fight bacteria |
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| Evening Primrose or Borage oil |
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| 3000 mg Evening Primrose or
2000 mg of Borage oil per day |
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| 1000 mg Pharmaceutical grade fish oil |
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2 capsules per day containing:
- 2 capsules per day containing:
- Indole-3-carbinol 150 mg
- Sulforaphane 200 mcg
- Calcium D-glucarate 150 mg
- Curcumin 50 mg
- Milk thistle 50 mg
- Rosemary 25 mg
- Green tea extract 100 mg
- Lycopene 5 mg
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Balances hormones supports healthy ovulation. Within two menstrual cycles acne will clear and PMS, period problems will ease. |
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2 capsules daily, containing 2.5 billion active cells |
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Improves intestinalflora (especially important if you have taken antibiotics for condition) |
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eat foods containing garlic |
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Acts as a natural antibacterial |
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160-320 mg three times daily with meals, assuming standardized to contain 13-18% caffeolquinic acids calculated as chlorogenic acid |
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Increases bile formation and flow to digest and absorb fats |
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| Dandelion tea as a beverage |
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| 1 or 2 capsules with meals |
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HEALTH TIPS TO ENHANCE HEALING
- Wash gently with warm water and an irritant-free cleanser. Avoid scrubbing, which can stimulate sebum production. Do not use make-up that will clog pores.
- Do not pick at acne, as this can lead to infection.
- If you have gas, bloating, indigestion or constipation, you have low stomach acid. Add a supplement with betaine hydrochloride or digestive enzymes to improve digestion.
- Avoid the use of antibiotics which can cause Candida yeast overgrowth and vaginal infections that will worsen acne symptoms in the long term and may have little effect on the acne.
- Focus on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables along with 25 g of fiber to help naturally eliminate estrogen. Avoid foods that you know aggravate the condition.
- Treat constipation. Holding days of toxic waste increases the amount of toxins excreted by the skin. See Constipation.
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