|
Do Dairy Products Cause Acne? |
|
Acne is a skin condition that is caused by the excess production of sebum, an oily secretion that is manufactured by the sebaceous glands of the skin. Excessive production of sebum blocks the pores of the skin and results in acne.
Although the condition can occur at any age, it is a condition that usually takes place in people between the ages of 10 and 25.
There has been a lot of research that has been done on acne. A number of theories and causes have been put forward and attempts to validate them have been made.
One of the reasons that a number of dermatologists have put forward is that an excess of dairy-based foods is responsible for causing acne. Milk produced by cows contains hormones that are broken down into certain chemicals in the human body that promote the secretion of sebum.
Furthermore as per the studies, milk has a high fat, protein and sugar content. Foods that are high on fat and sugar are known to cause acne. This theory was put forward by a dermatologist named Dr Jerome Fisher who conducted a study of a representative group of teenagers and studied their food habits. The study concluded that teenagers, who consumed more of milk, butter, cheese and other dairy-based foods, were more likely to have acne than other teenagers who did not have such foods.
The study also concluded that cutting down on dairy based foods is likely to reduce the incidence and severity of acne.
Other dermatologists have contradicted these results and pointed out that the results were flawed, as teenagers are a high-risk group who are otherwise prone to acne.
There are other studies and theories that have been put forward. A study points out that excess iodine in foods that comes from seafood and fish may cause acne. The iodine in fish and shellfish may result in excess production of sebum and thus cause acne.
|
