We all know that a low-carb diet is good for our waist-line, and that it has also recently been proven to be good at reducing cancer risk and type 2 diabetes, but now a new study has shown that a low-carb diet could be great for our skin too.
With over 15 million teenage sufferers of acne in the USA, could a simple change of diet help?
A report published by the Department of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York, has shown that some people who have the skin complaint, acne, could be suffering from a disorder called ‘hyperinsulinemia’. Hyperinsulinemia is an excess of insulin in the blood, and acne sufferers could benefit from reducing the amount of carbs they eat to reduce the overload of insulin.
The MD of the department of dermatology, Dr. Alan R Shalita, said: “Foods that are low in the glycemic index (GI) may contribute to the hormonal control of acne. I would encourage patients with acne to moderate the amount of carbs that they eat and not to overdo diary.” (Which has also been proven to aggravate acne).
Consuming foods which are at the low end of the glycemic index will ensure that a person will avoid the blood sugar level spikes that occur with processed, starchy foods such as white rice, flour, bread, pasta, sugary foods etc. A diet rich in fresh foods such as non-starchy fruit and vegetables, and plenty of proteins will keep insulin levels under control and the acne condition should improve.
Dr. Shalita was also keen to debunk some myths about acne causes and pleased chocolate lovers everywhere by stressing that it was unlikely that chocolate was to blame for outbreaks of acne, citing that it would be more likely the fault of the fat and sugar in candy bars rather than the cocoa.
“One study that compared Hershey chocolate bars with carob bars found no difference in acne risk,” Shalita says. “There is sugar and fat in both, so for people that do react to chocolate, it has more to do with the sugar than the cocoa.”
Great news for fans of our low carb chocolate bars and cookies.
Dr. Shalita did stress that if a low carb diet didn’t show a significant improvement in patients’ acne condition, then they should see a dermatologist for further medical treatments.