In today's world when working countless hours in order to survive is the order of the day, taking out time for oneself has become a luxury rather then necessity. Almost all my friends show reluctance at the mention of exercise. This is because they either feel to tired after working late and don't have the energy or will to sweat anymore, or they think the some free time they have should be spent as they wish to do( on their couch, beer in one hand the remote in the other constantly changing channels). Fair enough! As they don't feel it worth their time (my tone should suggest strong disagreement) this led me to think of the solution to them because life without exercise leads to serious consequences in the long run. So I thought of the problem and came up with a solution and that was eating right to stay healthy, although it cannot provide a substitute for exercising it does however balances the equation somewhat.



That is when I started reading all about making diet plan and what harms unhealthy eating could cause us. As I immersed myself in this illuminating study I came across certain benefits that can be achieved from different diet plans. Here is my compilation of the things that should be eaten to counter the ugly curse of acne. I hope that you find it mighty useful in your quest of a glorious skin.

Essential Fatty Acids & Acne

According to a case study published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology has shown that Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) can help the hormonal imbalances which are the first step towards acne. The study also indicates that people with hormonal related acne have been shown to have deficiencies of Essential Fatty Acids. So it is paramount that the people with hormonal have plenty of EFA's.

Food that has EFA's:

Sunflower, Soybean, Corn or Safflower oils, Sunflower seeds all are rich with EFA's

Vitamins & Acne

It is known fact that Vitamins are essential for a healthy skin, research has also indicated that Vitamin A is necessary not only for the maintenance of healthy skin but also the hormonal balance of it. Studies have indicated that people with severe acne typically have a vitamin deficiency in their blood. The studies further indicate that adolescent women, who had imbalanced hormonal function and thus acne due to it, were 'cured' of acne within a few weeks after taking vitamin A supplements. After taking the supplements for two weeks of vitamin A, some patient noted that after many years no new eruptions took place. While some patients reported that their face cleared up within one month of taking vitamin A, vitamin E and brewers yeast tablets. Dr B Leonard Snider of Pennsylvania reported that vitamin B6 has been successful in tackling cases of acne. In one private study that he conducted on adolescent girls who had hormonal imbalances, he noted reduced symptoms of acne by fifty to seventy five percent.

Sources for vitamin A:

Carrots, green leafy vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, and yellow/orange fruits like peaches, apricots, mangoes.

Sources for Vitamin B6:

Beans, nuts, legumes, eggs, meats, fish, whole grains, fortified breads and cereals all have vitamin B6 in them.

Vegetable, low fat diet & Acne

The male hormone, testosterone, which stimulates the production of the sebaceous glands in times of stress, can cause acne. Meat and all nutrition's that have a high protein count like eggs and dairy contains hormones and hormone-like substances that affect the hormonal balance in the body which as suggested above causes acne. So acne effected people should avoid meat and should eat vegetables and low fat diets.

Zinc & Acne

It is noted that Zinc helps acne sufferers. Though how it works is still pretty much in dark as the studies are inconclusive but a deficiency in zinc has been shown to increase the production of male hormones which causes acne. Zinc supplements has not only controlled acne for patients but in some cases have also help cure longstanding acne In another research, zinc was shown to have "dramatic improvement" in approximately 60% people who suffered of acne.

Sources for Zinc:

Brewers yeast, whole grains, Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds all have zinc content in them.

Selenium & Acne

Selenium has had its moments to shine as it was seen as an element which prevents cancer. Recent studies suggest that apart from being a preventive measure for cancer selenium if teamed up with vitamins A & E can within a time of 12 weeks reduce the severity of persistent acne and also help improve the resultant scarring.