acne and low carb

[steflou]

Has anyone noticed their acne improve on low carb? I have had problems for about two months with some acne/dry patched (took break from low carb). I read where low carb can help acne. Any thoughts?:)

[Roadstr]

When I lower my carbs my skin clears up. I have always had problems with acne. Think of it this way... insulin is inflammatory and if you decrease sugars you decrease that inflammatory response of insulin. Isn't the first thing a doc will tell you is to stay away from chocolate to reduce acne. (Talking cocoa/milk here, not the 85% dark chocolate.)
Anyway, don't ask me for any studies, that's just the way I think of it and it's my experience. I hope you give it a try because it will only take a few days on Phase 1 and you can vary you will probably find out that you can increase your grains and eat a lot of berries and vegetables without your acne coming back. Exercise helps big time, too.
Hope this helps.

[Gaelen]

When I lower my carbs my skin clears up. ... I hope you give it a try because it will only take a few days on Phase 1 and you can vary you will probably find out that you can increase your grains and eat a lot of berries and vegetables without your acne coming back. Exercise helps big time, too. Hope this helps.

Low carbing can help--but a word of caution.
I would NOT 'increase your grains' after only a few days on Phase 1. The entire point of Phase I is to teach your metabolism to switch from burning primarly carbs to fueling from fats and protein. Increasing grain consumption after only a few days will stop that process in its tracks. Further, sensitivity to grains and/or gluten can be one of the many factors in the person's old diet which contributed to increased acne. One reason that low carbing can improve acne issues is that a low carb diet eliminates or seriously reduces grain consumption.

In any case, the extent of grains consumption on Phase I (30-40g ECC per day) will be minimal after counting the carbs from low carb fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc. Most people will/should stay in Phase I for an extended period of time (until their current weight is only 20% over their goal weight, or until all health issues have resolved, or both.)

'Gradually increasing' carbs after only a few days (14, to be precise) is Atkins, not Protein Power.

[pilgrim]

Not just acne, but the closer I stick to my eating plan the fewer inflammatory issues I have. I have a touch of arthritis in my right hip that lets me know when I haven't let the carb count rise too high! :frown:

[pilgrim]

I meant to say my hip let me know when I have let my carbs run too high!

[Angie1313]

Funny how the body has a way of straightening itself out once you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.