Foods that improve Acne Prone Skin

Your skin is your largest organ and it makes sense that what you eat will be reflected by what condition your skin is in. Healthy eating habits will reflect in healthy looking skin. Foods that care for the health of your body will in turn be healthy for your skin. We all know that the teen years are when acne breakouts may occur most often. Hormones are often blamed for this breakout. It is the liver's function to control hormones and toxic waste by ridding the body of these substances. Certain foods aid the liver and help to clear up the acne seen on our skin. One vitamin that is good for clearing up skin problems like acne are beta-carotenes or vitamin A. Foods such as apricots, yams, cantaloupe, carrots, spinach, kale and parsley are good sources of vitamin A.

Another vitamin that helps to control acne is Vitamin B. Foods rich in vitamin B are eggs, fish, milk and whole grains. Vitamins B-1, B-6 and B-12 are well known for their ability to reduce stress. Acne is linked to levels of stress. Eating foods rich in vitamin B can help relieve stress.

Foods that are "mucus - acid forming foods", such as processed foods (junk foods), fast food restaurant items, confectioneries, and all soft drinks. What is healthy for your skin is when you eat wholesome and natural foods. Foods that are natural and good for your skin are: fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy vegetables, fresh juices, nuts and root vegetables. Hippocrates (a Greek physician), whom some claim to be the "founder of medicine" stated, "Let your foods be your medicine and your medicine your food as nature is the healer of all diseases!” He believed that you should treat the body as a whole and not treat it in parts. He believed in the natural healing process and that what the body needed to heal was a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He would shudder at our diets of processed, fast food and chemically altered food.

How food is cooked can also contribute to acne. Do not heat foods or defrost foods in microwaves. Microwaving foods adds to the presence of toxins in the food. Acne is one way that the body rids itself of toxins. Using the oven or stove to heat food is better than using the microwave.

Poor diet does increase the likelihood that acne will develop. The signs of a poor diet:

You consume the following foods...

more than a moderate amount of excessive sugar, fried foods, sodium and processed foods, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, dairy products, seafood and other iodine-rich foods.

The above food list consumed in minimal or even moderate amounts will not in itself aggravate acne. If you eat more than what is a normal and healthy daily amount of the foods and beverages, than it could be the culprit that is aggravating your acne. Having an occasional soda with friends it not going to destroy an otherwise healthy diet. When the foods you eat and the beverages become a problem for skin, is when you eat and drink more of what is on the above list and less servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Water is essential for a healthy body. Water helps the body to rid itself of toxins. Your skin will respond beautifully when you start to drink 8 - 8 oz glasses of water each day.