by “The link between dairy products and acne is well known, but not fully understood,” says board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD. The dairy acne question has what researchers call the issue of causality. That is, doctors know that there is a connection between dairy and acne, but they do not know exactly how this relationship works or whether it should worry even those who would like to say goodbye to their acne.
Take, for example, a study conducted in a 2005 published study The Journal of the Academy of Dermatologywhich found that women who drank two or more glasses of skim milk each day were 44 percent more likely to develop acne than other study participants who drank other types of milk.
“The relationship between dairy products and acne is well known, but not fully understood.” —Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD
This effect could be due to the fact that the natural growth hormones found in milk can affect your hormones and, consequently, your skin. “The connection is not clear,” says Dr. Nazarian. “We see more of a relationship with skimmed milk than whole milk, which suggests that milk processing may alter some of the growth hormones as well.” It is also worth noting that this study was based on people who remember drinking milk and acne during high school – and the memory may, as many of us know, be erroneous (especially when it comes to any experience in the cafeteria of the 10th grade. order, simply saying).
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Researchers have other theories about how dairy products affect the skin. “There is some evidence that certain compounds in milk and dairy products can affect blood sugar levels and increase sebum production, both of which are not ideal for those who are prone to acne,” says Mary Kate, a registered dietitian. Keyes, RDN, director. nutrition and wellness for MindFirst Health and Fitness. This, too, is not etched in the scientific journal just Yet.
You may be thinking, “Wow, this article has talked a lot about milk. What about other dairy products?” Absolutely right! We have been a little silent about this so far because, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, research has not yet found an association between other dairy products (such as cheese and butter) and outbreaks.
Again, not to sound like a damaged disc, but very The connection between dairy products and acne still needs to be investigated. And so, your friend / father-in-law / accountant does not have to say when they tell you to “cut dairy”.
What do experts say about removing dairy from your diet to fight acne?
Look, it’s perfectly understandable if you want to go through all the steps in the search for acne-free skin, but it’s really best to talk to a dermatologist and / or dietitian before deciding which is the right course for you. Everyone’s skin is different and a trained specialist will help you chart the best path to clear skin (if you wish).
In general, Dr. Nazarian says she does not recommend excluding an entire food category unless the results are significant and noticeable. And hey, that’s not the case with dairy yet. “Some dietary links are more direct, such as high glycemic index foods, because we know they increase blood sugar levels quickly and can increase oil production by the oil glands and cause acne,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Keyes is open to its patients being excluded from milk and other dairy products if they wish, but with one important caveat: When replacing your preferred cow’s milk, beware of what kind of salty milk. pour your coffee again. “Some milk substitutes may be a great way to get calcium and protein, but some, like sweetened almond milk, are really just sugary, calcium-fortified water,” he says. Instead, choose something like soy or pea milk that has a lower sugar content and a higher vegetable protein content.
TL; DR: Much of what we know about how your diet affects the largest organ in your body (your skin) still works in this frustrating gray area. So while I would like to chase acne as simple as pointing to a glass of cow’s milk and shouting, “Sir, you have been found guilty of skin betrayal!”, Science is not there yet.
So, as always, do what is right for you and consult a doctor if it is an option for you.
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