What Causes Acne? A Blood Sugar Imbalance

Acne is caused by an increase in skin cell turnover and excess sebum blocking the pores of the skin. This then leads to bacteria flourishing at the site of the blocked pore and creating inflammation. The causes of this are somewhat complex, however, here we will be discussing how high levels of blood sugar contribute to the problem.

Several scientific studies have shown that people with acne do not process sugar properly. It is this connection between high blood sugar and acne that led two scientists to call acne "skin diabetes".

When we eat carbohydrates, they are digested into individual glucose molecules. These are then absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream where they can enter our cells and be burned for energy. When sugar is released into the bloodstream, the pancreas is triggered to release the hormone insulin, which transports the sugar into our cells. People with acne have been shown to do this ineffectively.

The level of sugar that is in the bloodstream at any one time can be affected by the types of carbohydrates we eat. Some carbohydrates are broken down into glucose molecules quicker than others. The rate at which a carbohydrate does this can be measured by what's called its Glycaemic Load (GL). A food with a high GL, such as sugar or refined carbohydrates, releases its sugar quickly, whereas one with a low GL has a more slow release.

When we eat too much of a food with a high GL, this causes a large amount of sugar to be dumped into the bloodstream which then triggers a large amount of insulin to remove it. Eating in this way, aswell as consuming stimulants such as coffee, tea and alcohol, which also raise the blood sugar, can lead to the cells becoming resistant to insulin. When this happens, insulin is unable to do its job of transporting sugar into the cells effectively. In response to this, the body then produces even more insulin to try to lower the blood sugar.

The problem with high insulin for acne sufferers, is that insulin does more than simply lower blood sugar. When in high amounts, it can trigger sebum and skin cell production as well as leading to hormone imbalances which are also found in acne sufferers.

It therefore makes sense, in trying to get rid of acne, to follow a low GL diet to reduce insulin output. However there are several other factors which control insulin levels other than your Glycaemic load. There are also other causes of acne other than your blood sugar. The good news is that all of these can be taken care of with natural methods. The first step, however, would be to manage your blood sugar with a low GL diet.

Emma Taylor is a Clinical Nutritionist who specialises in treating skin problems. Her interest in this subject comes from her own struggle with acne and the side effects suffered from acne medications. From her research, she has learned how to treat acne and other skin conditions naturally, without having to resort to prescription drugs.

http://www.banishacne-freereport.com/

View the original article here